I became pregnant as a 17-year-old Catholic high school student in 1971. Learning denial from my downtrodden mother, I managed to convince myself that my period was late due to stress. I denied the morning sickness, my expanding waistline and my blossoming breasts. Then one day, I saw a doctor who confirmed my worst fear. I was 22 weeks pregnant. I contemplated suicide, but came to my senses. My mother realized immediately and told me that no one would force me to do anything that I did not want to. She informed my father. He asked me what I wanted to do and I told him abortion was the answer. The next day, he took me to an OB/GYN who confirmed the pregnancy and gave my father info on physicians in New York who performed abortions at this late stage. It was a saline abortion. I have never had a moment’s regret. If anything, that experience taught me that I can make difficult decisions, that I am strong and that my parents will always love me as best as they can.
Today I donate money to my Catholic high school, but they know that whatever info I send in about my life is to be published in the Alumni News Bulletin. So it is usually something to the effect of “ Laura… '72 is on the board of Planned Parenthood”, or Laura…'72 marched for abortion rights in Washington DC”.
   |