by Cathy Wilson

Created on: December 03, 2010   Last Updated: May 11, 2011

Yikes!  This is where swords get drawn.  The truth of the matter is there is no clear cut answer to the question.  Each 'case' is circumstantial and can only be decided by those involved, namely the mother carrying the child.  I am single mother of six and the thought of aborting a child purposely makes me sick to my stomach, BUT.  That doesn't mean I have the right to judge another on their decision to have an abortion.  I do not have the right to judge anybody, nor do you as we are no better than anybody else.

But with that I found out with my fourth pregnancy that my unborn child had a birth defect that might kill her before birth or cause her continuing health issues throughout her life.  I had to decide whether I wanted to continue with the pregnancy, have further tests done or have an abortion.  I was so upset that my doctors even gave me the option.  What was worse was that my partner was leaning towards ending the pregnancy before we found out any other details of the severity of her condition.  That definitely killed our relationship, something I couldn't live with.

Regardless I understand first hand there are 'reasons' it may be best for an abortion.  What if a woman was raped and needed to get on with her healing process, not be reminded everyday of what happened to her?  What if a child was going to be born so sick that he/she would have to struggle the rest of their lives to stay alive.  I have seen this while I spent over 3 months at Sick Kids Hospital with my daughter and it is heartbreaking what the children and their families go through. 

Unless we are in a woman's exact same shoes we have no say.  No right to even make a suggestion to what she should do unless she asks us to.  Then we should support whatever decision she makes whether we agree with it or not.  The only person you can control is yourself and we should never try to use our beliefs to make someone else question theirs. 

Don't forget that if the mother does decide to abort her child she will be dealing with that decision every day of her life regardless of what anybody says.  She will question it and it will haunt her always.  She most definitely doesn't need anybody else pointing the finger.  

Please remember that everybody has the right to make their own decisions for their own reasons and we should support it or stay out of it.  There's no room for back seat drivers here. 

Learn more about this author, Cathy Wilson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.