My name is Cheryl Riley.
I
was born and raised in Staten Island, NY as a catholic. I don’t remember when or where I first heard
the word “abortion.” but knew the Church was against it. I thought I knew more than the Church. I
thought if a woman had only 1 or 2 abortions and didn’t use it as a form of
birth control, then it was OK.
At
the age of 19, I found myself with an unexpected pregnancy. Young and scared, I gave into my boyfriend’s
pressure when he told me to abort my baby.
I
can remember as if it were yesterday the day my boyfriend picked me up and drove
me to the abortion clinic. I
desperately wanted him to put his arms around me, hug me and tell me it would
be OK and that we could have the baby. Instead,
when I turned to him to tell him I didn’t think I could go through with it, he
gave me a nudge through the door and said, "Yes, you can.”
The
first thing the receptionist asked me for was the money. I received a receipt that day in exchange for
my baby’s life.
Immediately
following my abortion I started to suffer from depression. My boyfriend and I
broke up and my life became a living hell. Drugs and alcohol became my friends.
I hated myself and I thought God hated me too. I disconnected myself from him.
Never thinking he would forgive me for what I did.
My
abortion effected so many aspects in my life but somehow I was able to marry
and have three children. I would suffer for 12 years after my abortion before
finding hope and healing on the first Rachel’s Vineyard retreat in the
Archdiocese of Newark. That was over 20 years ago.
I
stand before you today as a post abortive woman that has healed and has a voice
to speak on behalf of all those that don’t.
Abortion
hurts!