I wrote this article after working at a local women’s clinic that primarily performed abortions. As a writer I wanted an ‘inside look from the inside’, to see if after 6 months working there, I would better understand the very controversial subject.
This article was printed in a Free Press paper, but other than that, I have not published it until today. Since it is so applicable to current discussions, I felt it would be good to share my experiences. I can only ask that you not be the judge of me, whatever your thoughts. Only God can judge us in the final analysis. .
The physician was the only one who actually performed the abortions. Personnel worked as assistances and advocates for the women.
During my employment I wrote a contract for ANYONE outside protesting to sign if they so chose. It was to be signed by the woman seeking an abortion and a person who was willing to do ANYTHING to help the woman and child. If they would help, the woman would opt NOT to follow through with the abortion.
I circulated the contract, talked to so many people – those yelling baby killers, and those holding gross signs with a late term abortion child…….NOT ONE PERSON was willing to do anything to help – not financially, not as a counselor, a babysitter, a grandparent and/ or friend. No one would commit to keep an abortion from happening. It broke my heart.
I was able to just post a photo of most of the article, but page one would not come up, for some reason – so I simply retyped it.
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Page 1
THE LAND OF OS
As I closed the door behind her, the young woman turned and burst into tears.
“You must understand,” she plead, “I can’t go through with it. My dad would kill me if he found out I was pregnant. It was the first time for me!”
“Please understand I’s important you do,” she began. “This was not supposed to happen. I am a Christian. My boyfriend found out and broke up with me. My dad would be furious. He’d call me a murderer.”
I handed her a tissue as she tried to stop sobbing. My mind flashed back to the day I picked up a newspaper and noticed a jo for a part-time health worker. The ad asked interested candidates to send a letter stating a position on abortion and enclose a resume. I knew this was to open a new chapter in life experience and I knew I would respond that day.
The ad intrigued me, as did writing my position on abortion. I had refused once to ever consider an abortion. I never felt that decision belonged to anyone but the pregnant woman, (and maybe the man who impregnated her) – but to me personally it was not an option.
Within the week I received a call from the Women’s Health Clinic. The woman on the phone was friendly and told me a meeting was to be held for those who had sent resumes and a letter. She told me there would be a “self-help” group that day, and that we would be invited to participate, though it wasn’t mandatory.
Again, I was intrigued. “Self-help” she explained, was the experience of learning how to use a speculum to open and separate the walls of the vagina so you had a clear view of the cervix. A view of your own cervix (while holding a mirror) to see if it looked healthy.
My innate shyness blossomed momentarily, overtaken soon by the curiosity I felt to learn more about my own body. I wrote the date of the meeting on my calendar and mused how strange a thought it was to ponder checking my own cervix to see if it looked healthy.
I had raised three children but never been taught to do that! It sounded like a good thing to know.
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Relax, it's just Life! 