Sabrina's Story

January 5, 2002 is a day I will never forget. I refer to it now as the "day I played God". Most pro-choice advocates would say I exercised my right to choose. However anyone may look at it, having an abortion is not like going to the salon. You get a bad hair cut, you wear a hat, your hair will grow back. You get an abortion, that's it. I do not regret my decision, but I believe women should be more prepared for the aftermath mentally, however.
 
At 19, I was emotionally unstable and was in an extremely hostile relationship. If I wasn't being physically abused, I was being emotionally or verbally abused. I found out I was pregnant on December 26th (sounds a lot like that song, "Brick", huh). I knew immediately a child was not needed in this environment. Even after discovering I was pregnant, he continued to hit me. My decision was clear. I knew that if I had this child, this monster of a man would be stuck in my life forever and I cannot honestly say that I could have loved that child with all my heart knowing that he/she would grow up and possibly look and God forbid ACT the way he does.
 
Immediately following the abortion, I swept the experience under the rug and tried to chalk it up as another life experience. Until August. That's when the child would have been due. By that time, I had left that monster of a man, and was trying to pick up the pieces of surviving domestic violence. I have never cried over my decision, and I have never regretted it or been angry with myself. If given another chance, I would not have been in that relationship in the first place!
 
Today, I am 23 and I still do not regret my decision. It was a life changing moment and one I will never forget. Women should never feel ashamed or guilty of doing what they believe is right, but they should be aware of the lasting effects.
 
My child would be 3 1/2 years old. Ask me (or most women who have had one) and they can tell you the age without a moment's notice

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