My abortion wasn’t a magical key that set me free from the abusive relationship – It would take me one more year. However, my abortion was my first taste at freedom – it was the first time I held my head up and looked him right in the eye, confronting him. I chose freedom.

#youknowme

I wasn't sure about sharing my story, but now I feel like I have no choice. Just like all women in Missouri are about to have no choice.

When I was 16, I was told by a doctor that I would never get pregnant. When I was 23 years old, I had left college with no degree, bummed around a few communes with disastrous results, and was back at home trying to make sense out of my life.

I cannot say that I am like most of the women on here. I deeply regret my abortion. In the prior 10 years, I would've told people differently.

I told them it was my boyfriend. I didn’t have a boyfriend. I couldn’t even come up with a name when they asked me.

I was raised to be pro-life, but I knew if I stayed pregnant, I would keep the baby in the end and that wouldn't be good for anyone.