My name is Dale Barr and I am the Regional Coordinator of Ontario, for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. I have been sharing my abortion testimony, here at the MFL since 2004. In the Old Testament, God sent Moses to the enslaved Israelites in Egypt. He sent Moses to announce to them, that He was the great I AM; present with his people in all their sufferings. God wanted the people to know, He was not only aware of their suffering but He desired to deliver them from their bondage. Similarly, I feel God has commissioned me to share my message of hope and healing with the public; conveying a message that He continues to be present to us in all of our sufferings and desires to heal us. 

At the age of 16, I signed a consent to have an abortion. I remember only bits and pieces of that traumatic experience. Many years have passed and the majority of my memories remain completely repressed. I remember telling my parents, the same day a doctor confirmed I was pregnant. Their reaction was one of shock, anger and disappointment. A short time later, my case was reviewed by a panel of doctors called a therapeutic abortion committee. They counseled my parents and I to choose abortion. They said it was a simple procedure, with no ill effects. I am here to day to tell you it was not a simple procedure and I experienced many adverse effects. My abortion took place at the hospital, under a general anesthetic. I remember waking up after the abortion was completed, weeping for my baby who had been surgically removed from my womb.

A heavy price was paid after the abortion - physically, emotionally and spiritually. For 10 years, I was in denial and worked hard at keeping the abortion a secret. I went from achieving good grades in grade 11, to barely passing in grade 12. I struggled through college. Dependence on drugs and alcohol and promiscuity became a way of life. I stopped going to church. Memories of the abortion were triggered, while attempting to conceive after I was married at 25. I miscarried 5 times and believed I was being punished by God. 

Having the abortion affected my whole family. There were so many contributors to that tragic event, including myself and none of us ever discussed it following the abortion. Although I had people around me, I often felt isolated and alone. I am extremely grateful for the people and organizations that helped me escape from my prison of pain and secrecy! I have attained healing through the Church, through a post abortion healing program called Rachel’s Vineyard and through the Silent No More Awareness Campaign. 

God has been merciful and forgiving to me and has always been with me; even when I couldn’t feel His presence. He has blessed me with an amazing husband, 4 beautiful children, their spouses and 10 precious grandchildren. I am also blessed to be a hospice nurse, caring and advocating for the terminally ill; at end of their life.

I am thankful to God, the great I AM; for the courage he has given me to share my story in public.

I share my story to:

-reach out to anyone who may be hurting after an abortion to encourage them to attend a healing program and to invite those who are ready to break the silence by speaking the truth about abortion's negative consequences and the path to healing.

-educate the public that abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually to women, men and families, so that it becomes unacceptable for anyone to recommend abortion as a 'fix' for a problem pregnancy.

-help others avoid the pain of abortion.

My name is Dale Barr. I regret my abortion and I will be Silent No More.