Abortion survivor

[LightHeart]

I just read this amazing story about Gianna Jessen, Jessen was born over a month premature after a failed saline abortion. What a beautiful woman she has turned out be. I can honestly say this has me rethinking my views on abortion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Jessen

[eldragon]

I just read this amazing story about Gianna Jessen, Jessen was born over a month premature after a failed saline abortion. What a beautiful woman she has turned out be. I can honestly say this has me rethinking my views on abortion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Jessen


Obviously the abortion was attempted at a very late stage in her mother's pregnancy, which is sad. She was born 1 month premature - how long after the attempted abortion was be born?

[NicoMoon]

Thanks for posting the link, LH. What an interesting story! I'm assuming that someone verified it for accuracy, although I really don't doubt something like this.

We had a friend, now deceased, who gave birth to a set of twins, brother and sister, who failed to respond to TWO separate abortion attempts! I always wondered how they felt about hearing that story! Sadly, this was not a family with high self-esteem. I guess I wouldn't want my kids to know if I'd tried to abort them, or anyone else for that matter!

I'm pro-choice, but I never made that choice myself nor would I. I also wish that the fanatics on both sides of the issue would be more responsible. The pro-choice radicals act as though an abortion is akin to having a wart removed and everyone should try it, and the so called pro-life radicals are brutalizing people, even committing murders.

Ultimately, I do think this is an issue that should be left between a patient and their doctor. It's not an appropriate topic for legislators, IMO.

[LightHeart]

Obviously the abortion was attempted at a very late stage in her mother's pregnancy, which is sad. She was born 1 month premature - how long after the attempted abortion was be born?


The attempted abortion took place when her mother was 71/2 months along, so Gianna was born just a few weeks later.

[katharina]

I've heard one of these stories recently, too... there was just one attempt at abortion, but no one had known there were twins and the abortion only killed one of them. Needless to say the survivor doesn't get along well with her mother now. :dontgetit (This was many years ago, obviously without the same technology we have now).

[hokeshel]

I'm pro-choice, but I never made that choice myself nor would I. I also wish that the fanatics on both sides of the issue would be more responsible. The pro-choice radicals act as though an abortion is akin to having a wart removed and everyone should try it, and the so called pro-life radicals are brutalizing people, even committing murders.

Ultimately, I do think this is an issue that should be left between a patient and their doctor. It's not an appropriate topic for legislators, IMO.
I completely disagree. However, I respect your opinion. I think that most of us are somewhere in the middle, anyone I have ever spoken to anyway. I think that most of us understand the concerns on both sides but, it is difficult to find a common ground on this issues. I also believe legislators ahev to be involved in this. These are types of issues we need to have them involved in becasue if not, then that is leaving it up to the individual which sounds nice but, really that is just giving to the prochoice side in an extreme manner. We have to have some controls on issues like this imo, it is just hard to tell where to draw the line. For me, abortions due to incest and rape should be allowed, and if it poses a threat to the mother's life.

[NicoMoon]

I also believe legislators ahev to be involved in this. These are types of issues we need to have them involved in becasue if not, then that is leaving it up to the individual which sounds nice but, really that is just giving to the prochoice side in an extreme manner.

Our entire system of government is based on the concept of freedom of choice, so the prochoice "side" should have the advantage. We have a secular government, not a theocracy.


We have to have some controls on issues like this imo, it is just hard to tell where to draw the line.


Correct, it's very hard to tell where to draw the line, that's why no one should have control over anyone else on this issue. It's no one else's business what another person chooses to do with our bodies. We really can't ethically force a woman to carry a child against her will, can we?


For me, abortions due to incest and rape should be allowed, and if it poses a threat to the mo:rolleyes: ther's life.

Right, as with all of us, you have your own personal line of demarcation on this issue. Who are you wanting to be in charge of your decisions on the matter? Do you feel competent to make your own choices, and if so, who do you believe isn't equally competent to do the same?

I think it's a good thing that we're able to discuss abortion and compare our thoughts about it. I also think that's the way we should approach our moral views about the topic, through equitable and voluntary debate. A lot of people are very confused about this issue, and those with strong feelings about it have every opportunity to attempt to influence those who seek their counsel or influence.

I sincerely do not believe that very many of us would be concerning ourselves about the extremely personal behaviors and choices of others were it not for the fact that we've had this particular topic spoon fed to us as a "hot political issue". I honestly don't believe that it is for most folks. Left to our own devices, most of us choose to remain ignorant of the personal lives of others unless we are invited by them to involve ourselves.

WDYT?

[Franklin]

There are many people who feel very strongly that we should not eat meat or wear leather. In fact, some are now protesting Disney for their cockroach-eating contests. Should every group who advocates imposing their morality on others be given equal treatment? I think not.

We have been blessed with a Constitution that allows us all to make our own moral decisions. So we can all decide for ourselves if we will have an abortion or eat meat. We should also be able to decide for ourselves if we want to gamble or take drugs. A secular government's job is to protect its citizen's rights - not to impose morality.

So it is quite fair for the pro-choice view to be upheld by law. Should the law compromise about murder? Let's throw the pro-murder people a bone, they're so put upon.

Pro-life advocates can do a lot to reduce the occurance of abortion without trying to get the government to act as enforcer. They can adopt or set up agencies, they can preach - preferably based on human interests, not superstition, they can set up organizations tp help woman with no support systems so they won't feel the need to chosse abortion - they can put their money where their mouths are.

They will never totally eliminate abortions whether they succeed in creating legislation or not. But they can reduce it in a way that works for everyone involved by. It can be done with compassion and tolerance rather than self-righteous force.

Just my opinion, of course.

[bargirl]

That was a very nice post Franklin!Very well expressed, and I respect your opinion!
I personally think tha tabortion is just not something that should be the answer to any unwanted pregnancy. We are educated people and able to know how to avoid ending up in complex situations. Abortion presents serious complications and must be an option only in very needy cases!

But I also respect the fact that its a free world and that we have the right to decide what and how we want to go about in our life!

[NicoMoon]

Two very nice posts, Franklin and bargirl!

I'm glad to see this discussion, I think it's really a productive one!

I agree with your perspective about abortion, bargirl, I think most folks do. I also think that the number of women who use abortion as birth control is shrinking. There will always be folks who act irresponsibly and recklessly, we can't legislate wisdom or self-respect, but we can always exert our influence by good example and inspiration, which is the role I thought religion was supposed to play in a secular nation like ours.

[TinyStar]

I have to say I am so relieved to be reading so many open points of view.
Whenever I see a topic with 'Abortion' in it, I cringe. Because there are three things I've learned you can't discuss typically without someone getting up in arms over it - politics, religion and abortion.
When people can openly discuss it without devolving into name calling and mud slinging, I smile. Because to me, that sounds maturity to understand my view isn't everyone elses.

We can all agree abortions aren't fantastic. They aren't a trip to the fair or sany such. Ever the most hardcore pro-choice know that.
What it is about though is choice. Too often, pro-choice is equated to pro-murder when clearly it's not. It's about everyone having the right to choose what is best for themselves, whether that be to have the baby or not.

[ButtrflyDreams]

Wow! That's an awesome story. It's amazing how she has such a good attitude about it too. :)