Reclaiming Our Children: A Blog About Healing After Abortion

This is something I wrote before the last presidential election …I guess it still holds true…

Crossing the Great
Divide

Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, 42 million
abortions have been performed in our country. It is an issue that causes
tremendous controversy in our nation, and one both sides of the debate are very
passionate about.   It has become one of
the decisive issues in our elections with both the pro life and pro-choice
sides participating and organizing voter registration drives. However, the one
voice most often missing is that of the women who have actually experienced
abortion.

Often locked in the shameful silence of what has been
presented as a liberating women’s right, these women have become prisoners of
the shame, guilt and unresolved grief they feel in a society that refuses to
acknowledge their pain.

We have been told over and over that abortion is a safe
procedure, yet more and more women are beginning to come forward and speak out
about the emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual damage “safe, legal”
abortion has had on their lives.

Attempts have been made to make legitimate studies
documenting abortions dangers seem unreliable, among the most notable, the
abortion breast cancer link and the link to clinical depression to name just
two. Studies documenting these findings can be found in the Detrimental
Effects of Abortion, a 336-page bibliography with more than 1,200
entries to studies related to abortion complications and abortion decision-
making.  Although numerous attempts have been made to get Women’s Right to
Know legislation in place, organizations proclaiming to represent women such as
NARAL, NOW and Planned Parenthood have been adamant in blocking their passage.
Although they state abortion is a decision between a women and her doctor they
continue to deny that same women full disclosure to abortions dangers.

The good news is more and more help is springing
up across the nation due to the surge of those seeking help. Many professional
therapists are now seeking training, in part because they have experienced the
need through their own practices. Clergy member and lay peers are also reaching
out to help and many ministries are now available.

If you or someone you know is suffering in silence
call Lumina 1-877-Lumina1, a post abortion referral service here in the NY
area. There is hope, there is healing.