Letter: Who says life and choice are mutually exclusive?

Posted 9/21/17

To the editor:

This evening, while browsing the Bristol Phoenix, I stumbled upon a letter to the editor entitled, “What’s in a name? Meet pro-life women.” It wasn't the context …

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Letter: Who says life and choice are mutually exclusive?

Posted

To the editor:

This evening, while browsing the Bristol Phoenix, I stumbled upon a letter to the editor entitled, “What’s in a name? Meet pro-life women.” It wasn't the context of the letter that stood out to me, but rather, the name of the individual who wrote the piece: Owen E.Trainor III. Predictably, another man, hiding behind the guise of “pro-life” women. 

I have to wonder if Mr. Trainor, or other men with similar warped ideas of morality, would have a change of heart if they were to endure even a fraction of what I did at 14 years old. 

On television, pregnancy is generally portrayed as a beautiful and transforming experience. My reality as a young pregnant teen, was much different. 

I couldn't walk, I couldn't talk, I couldn't eat, I couldn't even move without vomiting. My hair fell out in large clumps, my skin turned from bronze to pale gray. I slept for 12 hours a day, merely to escape the feeling of impending doom. 

It isn't as though I wanted to have an abortion ... Does anyone? But aside from my young age and inability to provide for myself (let alone a child), I don't believe I would have made it to term. This wasn't just my own speculation, either. After losing a considerable amount of weight and being unable to consume fluids, my doctor became increasingly concerned about my deteriorating health, too. 

My mother called several clinics before finding Planned Parenthood, which was the only facility that provided the service at an affordable rate.
When we arrived at the clinic, I recall stumbling through a large group of protesters with gruesome signs, piercing my ears with their screams." Murderer! " one of them yelled. I felt someone grab the hood of my jacket and try to pull me back before my mother pushed me through the crowd and into the doors. 

I can't possibly articulate the thoughts racing through my mind, coupled with the feeling of my heart beating a mile a minute, as a group of (mostly men) tormented me for choosing to live. I couldn't fathom why the embryo inside of me was worth more to them than my own life. How could they claim to be "pro-life" but not care if I lived or died? At what age does life lose its value? 

Something we don't hear very often: The U.S. has arguably one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world. The maternal death rate for teens under age 15 is 2 1⁄2 times greater than that of mothers ages 20 to 24. Yet, despite these statistics, there are still those like Owen E. Trainor III, who believe women like myself should be forced to carry to term. 

I owe my life to women like Sarah Weddington, Linda Coffey — and yes, even Norma McCorvey. 

Today, I am a mother by choice and an advocate for women, which I believe makes me more 'pro-life' than any of the women on Mr. Trainor's arbitrary list. 

Carley E. Chambers

220 State St. Apt. 1A, Bristol

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