CJ Koivuniemi
I had an abortion. I was twenty years old and living in Ireland, a country known for its stance in abortion rights. At the time I was a product of my Catholic conservative upbringing, and I was not a supporter of abortion rights, to say the least. But when I took a pregnancy test, I knew I couldn't have a child in my current situation. I hadn't finished University, I had no money, I didn't have any help for a pregnancy and childbirth and rearing a child. I had an abortion through Women On Web four years ago and I finally feel like I can tell my story. It's been more than four years and having the power and autonomy to end a pregnancy and continue my individual life has continued to improve my life. I have a career, a partner, and things in my life that an unwanted pregnancy and child would have barred me from. I advocate for abortion rights because it's personal.
2014 Ireland
What were your feelings about doing the abortion/s?
How did you do the abortion?
Painful but fortunately, no complications.
What was your situation at this time?
낙태의 불법 성이 감정에 영향을 미쳤습니까?
Yes. I felt trapped and lost, like there was no way out and death was the only option.
다른 사람들은 당신의 낙태에 대해 어떻게 반응 했습니까?
My family doesn't know because if they knew, they would never speak to me again. My partner is supportive and validates how alone I felt. My therapist validates and listens and offers support and healing. No one else knows.