I see you there sitting on the fence, wondering what is the right thing to do.
I see you torn, knowing that a woman has a right to choose but equally thinking that 12 weeks is a long time for growing.
I see you wishing that the 8th amendment could be repealed but also wishing that this didn’t mean that women would have unlimited access to abortions up until 12 weeks.
Its hard isn’t it, thinking of those abortions? It tears at your heart and your reflex reaction is to say No.
It’s easier to think of those women who have been told their baby has a Fatal Foetal Abnormality, or to have compassion for the young girl who has been raped and finds herself pregnant. Its okay for these women to have abortions, its the right thing to do. But it’s the unrestricted access to abortions regardless of the reason that you are struggling to get your head around.
I see you nodding because this is the hard part.
Now try to picture the women who have to make the decision to have an abortion. They are not a different species, their reflex reaction is no different to yours. They are your mother, your sister, your daughter, your best friend. They are any of the wonderful women you meet day in day out.
They are not ‘them’ they are us.
Anyone of us could find ourselves in this postition. It is not one of their choosing and having to make this decision will be one of the hardest things they will do but for many it is the only way. The only way to cope knowing another baby will push them over the edge. Knowing that a baby will mean they will never escape the horror of their situation. Knowing that a baby will wipe out their future and leave them forever in the margins of society. Knowing that they CANNOT have a baby right now.
There is no excuse for unplanned pregnancies in this day and age, and yet there is a million. Life doesn’t happen in black and white, it is the grey areas which require compassion and true humanity.
These women are the ones who played with dolls when they were little pretending they were babies, who swarmed around baby cousins and begged to be allowed mind them. These women are those girls who spend their teenage years babysitting. Who because they are women are destined to nurture.
It’s what we do, its what we have always done and it is what we will continue to do if this referendum is passed.
I see you sitting on the fence.
I’m asking you to trust us and Vote Yes on May 25th
This is just so well put! Thank you!
Thank you Anna. It is the most difficult topic but one we can’t walk away from. Here’s hoping enough has been done to get it passed.
Really nicely put. It’s a very tough topic but I haven’t doubted my instinct to vote Yes. I trust women
Thank you. Here’s hoping there is enough people who trust us. It is the most difficult topic but we can’t stick our heads in the sand.
So well written. I have been following along closely and have even written about it myself. I feel the implications for this vote stretch much further than Ireland.
Thank you Melanie. I’m hopeful but so nervous for this vote tomorrow. It is so important for so very many reasons but rural Ireland can be a difficult mindset to change.