Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

http://www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_17339.shtml

In
January there was a cover story in the New York Times Magazine titled,
“Is there a Post Abortion Syndrome?” written by Emily Bazelon,
(granddaughter of pro-abortion judge David L. Bazelon and the cousin of pro-abortion feminist Betty Friedan) that denied the existence of post abortion trauma. Another, written by Jane Matluck (of Planned Parenthood) and published in The Journal News on June 7, 2007stated, “Claims that abortion causes mental illness are ‘fake’ and ‘deceiving’”. Lastly, in a July 1, 2007 article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, “Is Post- abortion syndrome real?” by Cherie Black, Dr Craig Kinsley of the University of Richmond says they are “putting a name on something that does not exist”.

So,
where is the truth? Does post abortion trauma exist or are the claims
of psychological, emotional spiritual and sometimes physical damage
imagined?

A
common thread in these publications is the way in which they address
the issue. All references to abortions detrimental impact are credited
to “anti abortion” people, or “pro life” people who “impose” feelings.
References are made that it is the pro lifers and anti abortion
activists proclaiming abortion has “profound emotional and
psychological effects”, when in fact, it is the women themselves who
have experienced abortion speaking out about its harm.

These
post abortive women are bringing the issue to the forefront because of
their own personal experiences and years of suffering, and try as
others might to deny their pain, the word is getting out, as more and
more women are stepping forward to share the horror they have
experienced as a result of an abortion decision.

For
many in the pro choice movement, the notion of any woman feeling guilt
after abortion is not allowed, or if it is addressed, they blame
religion, bad relationships, or anything else but the abortion itself.
However, abortion is not a religious issue, but a human rights issue
and women from all religions or none, and all backgrounds, suffer from
past abortions.

The harshness of the denial is a great injustice to all women. Dr Craig Kinsley of the University of Richmond statement in the Seattle
article that “they are putting a name on something that does not exist”
, only serves to make those suffering think they are crazy and alone in
their feelings.

Nada
Stotland, vice president of the American Psychiatric Association states
that feelings of guilt or regret after abortion don’t constitute a
disease, yet in the case of a solider who has experienced the trauma of
war, or a women who has experience a rape, or many other life altering
experiences, there is no such outcry against the use of the term post
traumatic stress. Abortion for many is a real and horrifying trauma,
women often feel abandoned and alone. Many feel coerced into having
abortions by family members, life situations and even some doctors.
Some actually see their aborted unborn children and the fact hits them
that it is just that, a child, not a blob of tissue, and they chose to
end their child’s life.

As
stated above, Jan Matluck of Planned Parenthood says mental illness as
a result of abortion is “fake” and “deceiving”. Tell that to the women
who have, and continue to suffer hospitalizations because of the
insistence of society and people like her, to deny of the impact of
abortion on their lives. They are told to “get over it” it is in your
past, or it is treated as a normal grief issue when in fact, these
women have participated in the death of their children and there is
nothing normal about that. There are countless women who have spent
time in psychiatrist hospital because abortion trauma that has been
denied, and then gone for help where their feelings have been validated
and in time, finally have been able to move on with their lives.

It
is hard to understand why people would like to have everyone believe
that the religious right has laid a guilt trip on those post abortive
and that they impose shame and guilt. Women seek out their faith
because they are already feeling guilt and shame and are looking for
ways to work through it. I cannot help but wonder how those that deny
post abortion trauma can believe religion has such power to instill
these feelings while an actual abortion itself does not..

Why
does it rile some so much to think that an abortion could bother a
woman? Is it so hard to believe that the taking the life of your unborn
child may cause you problems no matter what the circumstances
surrounding it? And if it really does not exist, why is everyone is
making such a fuss over it. The fact that the NYT gave it a 5 page
spread in its Sunday magazine, and that more and more publications are
spending time debunking the claim that abortion often carries with it a
heavy price, validates that indeed, there is such a thing as post
abortion stress.

The
big fat lie of post abortion trauma is in fact not a lie at all, but
the truth for many who have experienced one. Abortion itself, however,
has been based on a lie from the beginning so it is no surprise that
the lying would continue. Norma McCorvey, the “Jane Roe” in the 1973
Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade was the
original lie. She was never was raped as they said. The lies did not
stop there, they continued in telling women abortion is safe, in
stating their children are blobs of tissue, in not showing them the
development of their children or about the procedure they were to
undergo. They have duped society into thinking abortions can only be
performed in the first trimester in most cases, or that it is always
for the health of the mother. They have denied women information about
abortions physical, psychological and spiritual dangers and fought
legislation that would allow them to make an informed choice. They have
blocked “Parental Notification” laws, on the premise some kids may be
abused, yet. protect child predators who take children to clinics after
sexually abusing them. They have been silent on women’s abuse by men
for refusing to abort or for doctors who have maimed women or pressured
them into abortion if the unborn child is not perfect.

Yes, post abortion trauma is real. I know, I experienced it. I
laid in a hospital room alone with no idea what was to happen to me and
gave birth to my dead son. I suffered for years because no one would
legitimize my pain. I saw abortion impact all areas of my life, my
family and even my future children. Millions of other women know it is
real too, and no matter what Jane Matluck, Dr Craig Kinsley, Nada
Stotland or anyone else says, we will keep on speaking out in truth,
reaching out to one another, and exposing the lies of abortion, so they
can find healing like we have. For in the end, the big fat lie is
abortion. We will speak the truth, the truth will prevail and the truth
will set us free.

Copyright by Theresa Bonopartis

Lumina/Hope & Healing after Abortion

www.postabortionhelp.org