Tag: abortion

Tamara: an Abortion Story

Tamara shares her story of seeking an abortion in the state of California shortly after finishing graduate school and starting a new job. Despite being a former pregnancy options counselor and health educator, she faced challenges in accessing abortion care within the university system and encountered stigmatization from protesters outside the clinic as well as from fellow patients. She also experienced complications from the procedure. Her narrative emphasizes the importance of supportive environments during the abortion process as well as the emotional and financial aspects of the experience. She also addresses the impact of restrictive abortion laws, such as those seen in Texas, on individuals seeking timely and safe procedures. In courses focused on reproductive health, women’s studies, or public health, Tamara’s story provides a firsthand account of the difficulties individuals may encounter in accessing abortion care, including navigating legal restrictions and facing societal stigma.

My Abortion is Not a Sad Story

Ebony Wiggins shares her personal experience of having an abortion at 22. She provides insights into the circumstances, decision-making process, and emotional aspects surrounding the event. Growing up in a politically aware household, the narrator emphasizes the importance of choice, destigmatizing abortion through storytelling. The narrative discusses the impact of restrictive abortion laws, particularly on women of color. This narrative can prompt discussions on individual autonomy and the influence of societal and political factors on reproductive health care. Wiggins’ story also shows the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding reproductive health issues. It serves as a case study for examining the intersectionality of reproductive rights and the potential impact of legislation on different demographic groups.

The Phone Call

“The Phone Call” by Melissa Fournier is a short narrative retelling the author’s experience in giving birth to an infant on the edge of viability and, in the face of low odds of survival and extreme neurological impairments, signed a DNR. She recounts her experience as it is compared with others’ experiences of earlier stage abortions, and how public perceptions of varying kinds of difficult parental choices can be laced with bias, even when well-meaning. This would be useful in a class about reproductive rights and abortion. It is not long enough for an entire assignment, but it could be a good example to challenge abortion stereotypes and assumptions include in a lesson on the many nuanced situations in which termination of life occurs.