Abortion: Rape and Birth Defects are Not Good Enough Excuses to Terminate a Pregnancy
First of all, I should say that I do respect both pro-lifers and pro-choicers who demonstrate with compassion instead of attacking the other side. I have seen some very disturbing images of aborted fetuses from pro-life protesters. I understand the right to peacefully demonstrate, but I don't like the idea of children having to see enormous billboards of gruesome photographs on busy streets in the middle of the day. I don't even want to see things like that. I see that it is a strong argument toward pro-life, but I don't want to be subjected to anything so horrible.
Another problem I have is the so called "Christian" protesters who feel that they are right in judging people. I went to a Planned Parenthood with my friend who was raped to get her checked out; and the protesters made it so much harder on her when she was already an emotional wreck. They were yelling at us, saying "God knows what you are doing", "the Bible says..." blah, blah, blah. I am pretty sure that the Planned Parenthood in my city does not even perform abortions, so I guess I don't understand why they were stationed there. I was so upset that I started yelling back. "Isn't God supposed to do the judging? You don't even know why we are here." Personally, I think it's absolutely wonderful that there is a place where women can go and get annual check ups, or STD screens for a fraction of the cost at a clinic or hospital. If a young woman is raped and she needs to be tested for any diseases, then I think the protesters should keep their noses out of it and leave the judgment to God.
Rape brings up another point- many people believe that it is OK to abort a pregnancy if the woman is raped. I have never been raped, so I can't even begin to understand the devastating emotional and physical effects it can have on a person. If I had to do my best guessing, though, I would say that would be no excuse for me to abort a baby. A family member of mine was brutally gang raped and ended up getting pregnant. I don't know how she found the strength to go on with the pregnancy, but she did. And now, some 30 years later, no one could imagine life without her sweet daughter. Its easy to say you would terminate the pregnancy if rape was involved, but when you see the resulting product of the rape as a human, the tables turn a bit. The daughter of the victim has never known her father, or her ethnicity. But she has been nothing but strong about it, and is now grown with 4 children whom would have never existed had her mother decided to abort. Rape seems to be a decently valid reason for abortion, but not all women will resent the child, or be reminded of the incident every time she looks into her child's eyes. Maybe it's a little optimistic, but if anything, a baby could end up being the silver lining of a traumatic experience.
One of my biggest problems is when people say that it's acceptable to abort a baby who has birth defects. This is a very touchy subject for me, because I was born with spina bifida. Spina bifida is a defect in which the baby's back does not close, and the spine is exposed at birth. There are 3 types of spina bifida, one of which some people will never even realize they have. I was unfortunate and was born with the most severe case. My mother had no idea about my condition, as she never received an ultrasound. As soon as I was born, the doctors in the room all started whispering to each other. My poor mother had no idea what was happening. I was immediately sent to Milwaukee Children's Hospital to undergo a 6 hour surgery. The doctors all told my mother that I would never walk, that I would always need to wear diapers. She was also told that there was an 80% chance that I would need a shunt in my brain to drain the fluid. She had to measure my head every day to see if there was brain swelling. She had to change diapers with staples in my back. She knew that it would be an extreme challenge to take care of me (especially with two other children at home). If she would have received an ultrasound would she have aborted me? Anyone in that situation would have to seriously be a little crazy to say they want to continue the pregnancy with such a grim diagnosis. And yet, somehow, someway, by the grace of God, and the love of my family, I have never had a single problem relating to my spina bifida. I beat the odds and turned out completely normal. That is why I decided that if I ever have a pregnancy where the fetus is defective, abortion is not an option. Miracles do happen, and I feel lucky that my mother did not have to think of making such a life changing decision.
It seems very selfish to assume that the baby is less important than the mother. At the same time, though, I do like to mind my business about this subject as I don't care either way what other people do. If people that I will never meet choose to do something I feel is wrong, it will have no effect on me most likely. I do hope to shed a little light on the pro-choicers' main defense. If rape is an excuse to abort a baby, then it only makes sense that the woman should also be able to kill the rapist. And if mothers think its alright to abort a baby with a birth defect, then maybe its OK to kill off all the handicapped and disabled people. It just doesn't make any sense. The double standard is outrageous; and I for one will not tolerate people preaching about when it is permitted to end a life.
Published by lonnie difranco
I am 25 years old. I spend basically all my time on the computer, listening to music, playing games, or otherwise cooking.(I have been a vegetarian for 5 years). I have been playing piano since age 3, and ha... View profile
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23 Comments
Post a Commentw8 so r u for or against abortion im confuzzled nd i think ur an intelligent individual ;D
THIS IS SPARTA!
I just read over my comment and I apologize, I meant to write that I DO want to say it's amazing that you beat such odds. I've never thought of a birth defect as a reason to abort though, that doesn't make sense to me. I guess I also have more to add, I've been dead set against abortion for all of my life, that won't change, but I'm willing to be understanding to people's different situations. I know that the Adoption system isn't all that great, but there are other ways than having to destroy another life. I was simply trying to be sympathetic to different situations. People can set up their adoptions independent of Foster Homes if they wish, and have a more personal adoption with a family looking for a child. That would be the preferred alternative to aborting the child, if the mother feels that she herself cannot handle taking care of the child, no matter what way the baby was conceived. I thought I might add that after I read a few other comments.
I feel your thoughts, I actually just recently wrote an article on the same subject matter of abortion. I don't think mine is as well written as yours, but I feel like we're on similar wave lengths. I don't want to say it's amazing for you to be able to beat such odds, but that's just one of the many miracles that people tend to forget about. I guess though I sit in the middle or the battle, that place no one wants to be. Though I don't think it's okay to just have an abortion, I think cases like rape, though I still cringe at the thought, are more plausible. But in saying that, I'm meaning more for the mother of the child to have that choice, I mean, not all children of rape turn out to have bad lives as you have stated in your article, but some people become resentful. A child born of rape could possibly be hated by their mother, and not even understand why. Then again that same mother could love that child with all of their heart and see them as their
Way to go Kristina!! This is just the kind of thing I love to hear. I am so happy for you and your family. My 15 year old cousin just had a baby, and while I'm sure it's going to be hard, I am so proud of her for sticking with it and making it through the labor. He is such a beautiful baby, and we are all thankful as a family to have this new addition!! Thanks a lot for sharing your story!!
I found out I was pregnant when I was 18, this is what I wanted more then ever because I have health problems that could make it not possible for me to have children later. At 23 weeks along in my pregnancy I found out that I was going to have a boy, but I also found out that I was having a little boy with a heart defect. I was offered the chance to terminate my pregnancy and I said No. I know that I wanted my child, know matter what complication were going to be. My son is now two years old and growing strong with 2 successful heart surgeries. His father and I are so thankful for our little man and there is no doctor that could have changed my mind about my specail baby boy.
Thank you Lonnie for your commnent.
I have always had a beleif in our Lord He will not allow something to happen that we can not handle IF we rely on Him I was homeless at 40, children lived interstate and was unable to help as they had their young families to care about, I was comfortable living in my car. Not once did I starved, felt frighten or unhappy. He was watching over me and in the end sent a wonderful man into my life. We are both very happy and have a beautiful farm. The children's children are now tenagers and young adults and my hubby pays for me to visit them. God knew what He had planned for me and it has all worked out in the end. My favourite verse "Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding, in ALL thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths
wow, thank you sharing your amazing story. you had so much strength and courage at such a young age, and i can see that it has stayed with you your whole life. nothing could have illustrated my point more. you are truly an amazing woman, and i feel honored to have had my story read and commented on by you. i feel so proud that at such a young age, you knew that something was wrong with what the doctors wanted to do to you. i wish that all of today's youth had your morals and your heart. God bless you and your family!!!
I was raped by a group of young boys when I was almost 15.
The boys were charged and I got a baby.
There was a family conference on what to do with the child.
I was not asked what I wanted.
At the time of the rape I went to hopital and they wanted to give me something to make sure that I did not get pregnant.
I did not understand at the time what they meant, but felt it wrong so said NO.
I learnt that it would of been an abortion if I was pregnant.
This child was half mine. That is how I looked at the situation.
If someone hurt some other part of my body, would I want to get rid of it?. If I was to look at it in the future would it remind of what hs happen?
Becuase of that reasoning I now have a beautiful daughter, three grandsons and a great grand daughter. NOT ONCE have I looked at her and thought of that horrible terrifing night. She is mine and no one else and I am PROUD to be her mother.
way to go hahna!! you are so right... there is no way anyone can deny that. even 4 weeks in, its obvious that its a baby, a tiny living person. and to christina: even if i dont have experience on a certain topic doesnt mean i shouldnt write about it; i can still have opinions and feelings, and if youre not interested then i dont understand why you wasted the time pretending to read the article. and if i just "got to the point" like you suggested, it wouldnt be an article, it would be a sentence. i think YOU should write an article about how articles should be written, since you know so much about it. thanks, that would be really helpful.