“When I was 18, I found myself trapped in an abusive relationship, and I unexpectedly became pregnant as a freshman in college. The pregnancy caused my partner to become even more abusive, and my family believed he might seriously injure or even kill me. One night, he drove me out to the middle of nowhere and put a gun to my head.
I knew I couldn’t stay pregnant, and I chose to get an abortion. I knew then that it was the right choice for me, and I’ve never regretted it. I traveled over an hour to Houston to access abortion at Planned Parenthood. It was simple, safe, and life-changing in only the best ways. I felt in control of my life for the first time since I began the relationship with my abuser, and I finally found the courage to end it. Continuing the pregnancy would have meant that my abuser would be a constant fixture in my life, and, because the escalating abuse could have been fatal, I truly believe that my abortion is the reason I am alive today.
My abortion allowed me to finally escape my abusive relationship, finish university in four years, begin a now 15-year career, and find a new, healthy relationship with a loving partner.
I was past 6 weeks pregnant when I had my abortion, so if SB 8 had been law at that time, I might not be here today to tell this story. And accessing abortion has become even more difficult today than it was then. Everyone deserves the same basic respect of being trusted to make their own private medical decisions, in the simplest possible way, just like I did.”