I didn’t have an abortion, but I live with someone who did.  Because of my mom’s abortion twenty some years ago, I don’t have an older sibling.  My mom talks about how much she regrets it. She suffers from depression and is bipolar, but she refuses help.  This is her story:

 "When I told my friend that her boyfriend got me pregnant by raping me several times, she became angry and told me if I didn’t have an abortion she would no longer be friends with me. I talked to a few people and decided an abortion was best because there was no one to support me and I didn’t have the money to raise a baby. I pulled together enough money to have the abortion with the help of some friends. I went to Planned Parenthood where they told me to lay down on the table then they stuck something inside me.  It felt like they were vacuuming out all of my insides. Afterwards I felt so empty and I bled a lot. Every time I think about the abortion, I think about the painting of a sunset I bought to remind me that my baby is safe in heaven."

 I cried when I heard that story. I hated my mom at first.  How could she kill a baby? But, now, I pity her.  She felt trapped and because of that abortion I see my mom suffering everyday. That is why I am silent no more.