Zoe

I recently had an abortion and it is on my mind every single day. I loved my ex-boyfriend and we often discussed having a baby together, so when I became pregnant I was really happy and excited. But he didn’t feel the same.

“After hearing other women's stories, I now understand that I too am brave.”

He told me I was too immature and selfish to raise a baby. He told me to have an abortion and that it wouldn’t hurt at all. He didn’t even come with me.

Deciding to have the abortion was the hardest moment of my life. I will never forget the tears I cried or the blood that came out of my body after I swallowed the pill. I felt sad and guilty, and I questioned if I even made the right decision.

But after hearing the brave stories of all these other incredible women who have endured the same pain as me, I now understand that I too am brave.

I am brave because I know that the father of my baby did not care for me and I deserve a man who loves me and who wants to have my baby.

I am brave because I recognized that I wasn’t financially ready to raise a baby on my own and I didn’t want to burden my hard-working parents with the financial stress of having to help me out.

I am brave because I realized that I am only 23 years old and have many more years of adventure and love ahead of me.

I am brave because I understand that every woman has the right to choose whether or not the time or circumstances are right for her to have a baby.

But most of all I am brave because I had some fantastic friends and family in my life who supported me all the way and allowed me to be brave.

My name is Zoe. I had an abortion. But I draw the line today because I, like you, am brave.