I was 23 when I found out I was pregnant. I had spent two years living in the big city and found myself in an abusive relationship. I moved back home temporarily, under the guise of sorting things out. But mostly I moved back home to get away from him. For years after, I was ashamed that I let him back in when I decided to get an abortion. We all cope differently. I do know that had I not had that abortion, I would have ended up tethered to a man who instilled in me nothing but fear and self loathing. I am so grateful that terrified, 23 year old me made the decision to end that pregnancy. It took me another year and a half to break free of the relationship, but I can only imagine how much more complicated it would have been had I brought that baby into this world. I am endlessly grateful that I had the options I did, and I shudder to think of a world in which those options are off the table for girls in any situation. Thank you, SYA, for the amazing work you do. I stand proud, as a woman who has had an abortion, and am so grateful to see how this organization supports the multitudes of women just like me.

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