I had an abortion because prior to that, at eighteen I had gotten pregnant and had given the baby up for adoption.
I was raised in an orphanage for five years. My mother remarried and brought us home. She was an alcoholic and my stepfather was abusive. Because of this I ran away from home and got an apartment with my girlfriend. I was seeing a boy and ended up getting pregnant the first time I had sex. I had to return home and put the baby up for adoption. The adoption was carried out in a manner that lacked integrity – it was all secret and clandestine. I actually had to carry my baby out of the hospital and put her in the back seat of a car – the adoption was fixed and the baby was given to wealthy people.
So when I got pregnant again, I could not tell anyone, not even my mother. I was so ashamed. I asked a police officer for help. He said he knew a doctor and sent me to a sleazy motel – the doctor turned out to be a quack. I then had a coat hanger abortion.
Immediately after the abortion, I hemorrhaged. An ambulance came and I was sent to Cook County Hospital. It was the most terrible, loneliest and saddest day of my life. I blocked that day out.
At the age of thirty eight I entered recovery. I have been in recovery for all the damage that I have incurred. Yes, I have found help and forgiveness through my recovery process and I am grateful for the number of people that have helped me.
I have an amazing story – one that I was blessed to receive. Now I would like to share it in hopes that I can save one life and pass on the joy, confidence, and love I have received to a young girl who may be suffering as I was and sometimes still am.
But today I know God loves me … and also people like yourselves love me and only want to help. So, I can only hope I have something to offer.
Thank you for listening,
Loretta