In 1993 Dr. David Gunn was murdered by anti-abortion extremists. On March 10th, 1993. 20 years after Roe v Wade became the law of the land. This Supreme Court decision made abortion legal in the United States.
Of course, those who had been frothing at the mouth about it for 20 years, those who wanted to control women, at all times, continued to send out seeds of hatred for providers. And for patients.
In 1996, March 10th was declared to be National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day. Partly to honor Dr. Gunn, partly to recognize the providers who stand with women in what is perhaps the worst day of their lives.
Because, despite the propaganda, there are many reasons for an abortion. The fetus is damaged, the woman’s life is in danger, the risk to the fetus and the woman in continuing the pregnancy is great. The fetus is the product of abuse or rape or incest. And, yes, sometimes the woman does not want to be pregnant.
Sometimes, the woman can’t afford to feed herself, no matter an entire other human. Despite what they say, adoption is not the answer.
Shoring up the mans’ slipping control over women is.
It has always been about control.
I don’t care about the reason that a woman might seek out an abortion. That is her decision and her life.
I do care, deeply, about the woman to have the right to comprehensive medical care. Up to an including abortion.
I could care less about the mans’ need for control and to keep the female gender under as much of it as is possible.
I’ve been in the operating room caring for women who would much rather have not had to make the choice for abortion. But it is her choice. To be merciful to the child that would not be able to survive birth, to choose to live herself, to escape an abusive situation.
Her choice.
No matter what you and your ‘god’ have to say about it.
I am grateful to the brave abortion providers who give such necessary, merciful care.
The rest of you who would stand in our way, go pound rocks.
Dispatches from the Evening Shift 