Why Become Vegan?

I’m not sure what first sparked the interest in veganism for me, truthfully I’ve always said to myself that I could never give up my beloved cheese.

Ahh, Mexican cheese dip, how I love(d) you.

 

However, for me, deciding to abstain from dairy and meat was a choice that coincided with my current values and goals in my life.

Here are some of my reasons in becoming vegan(ish)… I still occasionally eat wild caught fish. 

Number 1: Using Food as Medicine

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food".
Hippocrates

I have read a ton about becoming vegan before deciding fully to embrace it and I think learning about any choice helps you incorporate it into your life monumentally better.

The science and research available is clear:  A plant based diet has a limitless amount of benefits to the body (both physically and mentally). *look at the bottom of this post for just a few with research to back it up

Even if you have no interest in veganism/vegetarianism, I would suggest reading The China Study (especially if you would like to learn more on the power of the food we ingest and the effects on the body). It’s the most comprehensive study ever completed of the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease.

The book describes 8,000 (yes, you read that right, EIGHT THOUSAND) statistically significant association between dietary choice and disease.

The study basically concluded beyond any doubt that eating meat and dairy promote disease – not only that, but eating a plant based diet can prevent AND REVERSE IT.[1]

That’s pretty astounding, if you ask me.

Why aren’t we looking at food as medicine? It has the potential to hold the most influence in our daily lives – it’s a very powerful tool if we choose to use it to our advantage.  

Number 2: Another Way to Embody Compassion

"The subtle energy of your food becomes your mind."

Upanisad

It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to claim ignorance in the part of how factory-farm animals are being treated nowadays. Even if you don’t consider yourself an animal lover, the conditions and treatment of these creatures are utterly horrific.

After learning more about farming in America, we tried buying a meat share locally from a near-by farm. We receive a small share of pork, beef, and chicken - nothing that would sustain our meat eating habits year-round though. We eventually had to rely on our local butcher who receives his meat through a large factory farm in the Midwest (I won’t name names).

If you live in the US and are buying meat from a supermarket then you are supporting the abuse and cruelty of animals.

I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.

Personally, I can’t pretend anymore that this is not happening. I’ve seen the pictures, seen the videos and read the descriptions – it’s something that a person never forgets.

Just one very small example: Did you know that pigs are by far greater advanced intellectually than dogs and cats? Even smarter then a 3 yr old child![2] These intelligent, social animals are deprived of sunlight, veterinary care, exercise….even the feeling of grass under their feet.

For me, what I eat means something – I choose not to part-take in the horrendously cruel aspects of these farming techniques that are totally unnecessary.

I love that I have the power to say no.

Number 3: Example to My Daughters and My Family

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can

change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

I was in about 7^th grade when I first told my mom that I wanted to be a vegetarian. This meant that I basically would just eat pasta without sauce or I could have cereal.

There were no other options given at dinner time other then a side dish of canned green beans or corn.

Needless to say that choice didn’t last long and I went back to eating what my family ate.

My goal as a parent is to set an example and show my daughters (and husband) that there are other options out there.

My husband and oldest daughter still eat cheese and meat occasionally and I’m ok with this. Nevertheless, we do try to opt for fish as much as possible or have a meatless meal  throughout the week.

I think for my children, its not so much an absolute way of eating as it is for me. Instead, I try to work with a balance of what my husband enjoys (which is eating meat) and what I enjoy (not eating meat, dairy or eggs). If they choose to eat what I am eating, then that’s great – if not, that’s ok too.

I am happy that there is an option for them, something I never had growing up.

Conclusion

I am committed to choosing things in my life that coincide with who I am as a person. I am always looking for the next step that can help me to embody the values I hold in my heart and soul. It’s a never-ending process. 

Everyday more and more studies are published proving that the healthiest diets are plant based, not animal based.

I want my daughters to be healthy, so that means that I have to be. (sorry Mexican cheese dip)

For some, becoming vegan is a very far jump. Instead, try to make small steps of improvement and celebrate them. You are much more capable then you realize! 

 

*In medical applications, vegan nutrition has been shown to be of value in reducing the inflammation of acute rheumatoid arthritis[1], in aiding the regression of atherosclerotic heart disease[2], in correcting intestinal dysbiosis[3], and in control of asthma[4].

1.Kjeldsen-Kragh, J. Controlled trial of fasting and one-year vegetarian diet in rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet, 991; 338: 899-902.

2. (a) Fisher, M., et al. The Effect of Vegetarian Diets of Plasma Lipid and Platelet Levels. Archives of Internal Medicine, 1988; 146:1193-1197.
(b) McDougall, J., et al. Rapid Reduction of Serum Cholesterol and Blood Pressure by a Twelve-Day, Very Low Fat, Strictly Vegetarian Diet. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 14, No. 5, 491-496 (1995).
(c) Resnicow, K., et al. Diet and Serum Lipids in Vegan Vegetarians: A Model for Risk Reduction. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 1991; 91:447-453.

3. (a) Ling, W. Shifting from a Conventional Diet to an Uncooked Vegan Diet Reversibly Alters Fecal Hydrolytic Activities in Humans. Journal of Nutrition, 122: 924-930,1992.
(b) Peltonen, R., et al. Changes of Faecal Flora in Rheumatoid Arthritis During Fasting and One-Year Vegetarian Diet. British Journal of Rheumatology 1994; 33:638-643.

4. Lindahl, O., et al. Vegan Regimen with Reduced Medication in the Treatment of Bronchial Asthma. Journal of Asthma, 22(1) 45-55 (1985).
Michael Klaper is founding director of the non-profit Institute of Nutrition Education and Research and serves on the Nutrition Task Force of the American Medical Student Association.

 

Resources:

[1]The China Study by Dr.  T. Colin Campbell

[2] http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/pigs/

Rheumatological Conditions

"Divergent changes in serum sterols during a strict uncooked vegan diet in patients with rheumatoid arthritis."
Agren JJ, Tvrzicka E, Nenonen MT, Helve T, Hanninen O.
British Journal of Nutrition, 2001 Feb; vol. 85, pp. 137-9.

"Fibromyalgia syndrome improved using a mostly raw vegetarian diet: An observational study."
Donaldson MS, Speight N, Loomis S.
BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2001; vol. 1, p. 7.

"Antioxidants in vegan diet and rheumatic disorders."
Hanninen O, Kaartinen K, Rauma A, Nenonen M, Torronen R, Hakkinen S, Adlercreutz H, Laakso J.
Toxicology, 2000 Nov 30; vol. 155, pp. 45-53.

"Vegan diet alleviates fibromyalgia symptoms."
Kaartinen K, Lammi K, Hypen M, Nenonen M, Hanninen O, Rauma AL.
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2000; vol. 29, pp. 308-13.

"Uncooked, lactobacilli-rich, vegan food and rheumatoid arthritis."
Nenonen MT, Helve TA, Rauma AL, Hanninen OO.
British Journal of Rheumatology, 1998 Mar; vol. 37, pp. 274-81.

"Faecal microbial flora and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis during a vegan diet."
Peltonen R, Nenonen M, Helve T, Hanninen O, Toivanen P, Eerola E.
British Journal of Rheumatology. 1997 Jan; vol. 36, pp. 64-8.

"Effect of a strict vegan diet on energy and nutrient intakes by Finnish rheumatoid patients."
Rauma AL, Nenonen M, Helve T, Hanninen O.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1993 Oct; vol. 47, pp. 747-9. 

Dental Effects

"Dental erosions in subjects living on a raw food diet."
Ganss C, Schlechtriemen M, Klimek J.
Caries Research, 1999; vol. 33, pp. 74-80.
 

Fecal Microbial Flora and Related Topics

"Faecal microbial flora and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis during a vegan diet."
Peltonen R, Nenonen M, Helve T, Hanninen O, Toivanen P, Eerola E.
British Journal of Rheumatology. 1997 Jan; vol. 36, pp. 64-8.

"An uncooked vegan diet shifts the profile of human fecal microflora: computerized analysis of direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography profiles of bacterial cellular fatty acids."
Peltonen R, Ling WH, Hanninen O, Eerola E.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1992 Nov; vol. 58, pp. 3660-6. Also see comment in: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1993 Aug; vol. 59, pp. 2763-4.

"Shifting from a conventional diet to an uncooked vegan diet reversibly alters fecal hydrolytic activities in humans."
Ling WH, Hanninen O.
Journal of Nutrition, 1992 Apr; vol. 122, pp. 924-30. 

Miscellaneous

"Vegan diet in physiological health promotion."
Hanninen O, Rauma AL, Kaartinen K, Nenonen M.
Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 1999; vol. 86, pp.171-80.

"Effect of a vegan diet on biomarkers of chemoprevention in females."
Verhagen H, Rauma AL, Torronen R, de Vogel N, Bruijntjes-Rozier GC, Drevo MA, Bogaards JJ, Mykkanen H.
Human & Experimental Toxicology, 1996 Oct; vol. 15, pp. 821-5.

"Coumarin 7-hydroxylation in long-term adherents of a strict uncooked vegan diet."
Rauma AL, Rautio A, Pasanen M, Pelkonen O, Torronen R, Mykkanen H.
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1996; vol. 50, pp. 133-7.

"Effects of eating an uncooked vegetable diet for 1 week."
Hanninen O, Nenonen M, Ling WH, Li DS, Sihvonen L.
Appetite. 1992 Dec; vol. 19, pp. 243-54.

"Raw food and immunity."

Gaisbauer M, Langosch A. 
 Fortschritte der Medizin, 1990 Jun 10;108(17):338-40 

Websites:

http://www.veganhealth.org/#res

http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Benefits-of-Going-Vegan&id=5144029

http://www.vegansociety.com/Become-a-Vegan/Why.aspx

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/09/why-vegan/

http://www.veganwolf.com/reasons_to_be_vegan.htm#What%20we%20eat%20is%20a%20learned%20proces

Choice

It is Legal to Toss Poop in the Trash?

How often do you take a dump in a dumpster?

Not often, I hope.

Going number 2 in the trash seems pretty crazy until you speak in terms of babies and diapers.

Well of course you put poop in the trash!! Right?

Many moms and dads might not be aware of this, but on the disposable diaper packages it instructs the consumer to empty solid waste into the toilet before disposing.

Yeah, I know, crazy huh?

Heck, I never knew this until I started researching about cloth diapering.

According to the guidelines of proper sanitation of fecal matter (aka poop) to avoid disease and viruses spreading into ground water, we are supposed to shake, wipe, dunk, or scoop that solid waste into the proper waste receptacle – the toilet.

Of course, exclusively breastfed infants have poop that is completely water soluble. It’s only when you start introducing solids that you have to worry about where to place the poop. Just one more reason (added to many) to delay solids. 

Although you aren’t breaking any federal law if you do stuff your diaper genie to the max with your baby’s poop and then leave out for the poor unsuspecting trash man, the reality is that human waste contains the potential to spread a lot of diseases – especially in vaccinated infants.

The WHO (World Heath Organization) as well as the CDC and the APHA (American Public Health Association) have provided guidelines in disposing of poop which instructs us to flush it down the toilet.

“…human excreta entering the waste stream via disposable diapers pose potential health risks to sanitation workers and threaten to contaminate groundwater…”

Law or not, it’s still better to flush it then to trash it. Just saying.

Sources:

Global Water Supply and Sanitation Assessment 2000 Report. World Health Organization/UNICEF:http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/jmp2000.pdf

Polcy Statement Database; Health and Environmental Hazards of Disposable Diapers. American Public Health Association. 1989:http://www.apha.org/advocacy/policy/policysearch/default.htm?id=1189

Creation

Cosleeping and Marital Intimacy

pic from here

There are is an abundant amount of changes and challenges that occur when you go from a couple to a family unit. These challenges have the potential to deepen and intensify the meaning of a marriage – it also brings the prospect of having the intimacy sucked out like a black hole.

Having a child or children is not always effortless when it comes to continuing to build on intimacy in your marriage. (Who am I kidding, it’s hard as hell) Life becomes demanding. There is less talking. There is a lot less learning about each other’s day, each other’s goals and passions. Sometimes we just rush, rush, rush to get dinner done, the house cleaned, bathes finished, laundry folded, mow the lawn, empty the dishwasher, did the cat just throw up on the carpet? Damn it. Ahhhhhh, the never ending list! 

Meaning, having a child in the bed is not what makes intimacy difficult – it’s having a baby period, which ultimately leads to juggling time (intimate or not) to be very challenging. 

Many naysayers challenge cosleeping arrangements with the argument that it intrudes on sexual relations between mom and dad. While proponents claim there are creative (and fun) ways around it. So, which is it? 

First, I think it’s important to recognize that intimacy is not just sex. Secondly, if there is less sex in a marriage it could be because there is a baby, not because of where the baby sleeps (or lack of sleeping in some cases).

If both you and your husband understand and agree about the benefits of cosleeping, there is no doubt you'll be able to work out any challenges that arise (no pun intended).

Each and every marriage is different – if cosleeping works or doesn’t work for a family then that’s that. It’s better to have a better marriage either way, then cosleeping and resenting the other person about it.

Personally, knowing that my husband values my daughters’ psychological and emotional wellbeing as much as I do is a turn on all by itself. It also makes those moments that we do get to cuddle, hug, and kiss out of this world.

Cosleeping has been around for a very long time and the human population hasn’t disappeared yet. Somehow, those people are getting busy.

Once you deicide that cosleeping works for your family, being spontaneous and creative seem to work quite well. Sneaking around and finding ways to share a physical moment hold the potential to add a new level to the relationship. If it doesn’t work, then change it. It solely depends on your family dynamics.

One of the best gifts we can give to our children is a healthy, connected marriage – emotionally, spiritually and physically.  Whether that incorporates cosleeping, well – that’s up to you!

5 Useless Medical Practices Used On Children

Caring for children comes naturally and adults have been caring for children for as long as our species has been around, but the discipline of pediatrics emerged just barely a century ago. The emergence of pediatrics as a specialty in medicine was merely one example of a broader trend we have experienced in institutional medicine…

It would seem that we have come a long way in our advances in pediatrics (and in medicine in general)– however, many of the common procedures in use today in children are not as useful as we are led to believe...

Tympanostomy Tubes

Tympanostomy tubes are what a doctor might describe to parents as ear tubes. Their main purpose: ventilation in the hopes to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the ear that might possibly cause hearing loss.

The average age for ear tube insertion is only 12 months to three years old. In many case, younger than a year old.

Over 700,000 lucky infants and toddlers get the honor to undergo general anesthesia and have their ears sliced open.

This is exactly what tympanostomy tubes look like

The million dollar question is: Do inserting tubes in the ear help with hearing loss or future risk of ear infections?

Parents are warned that if fluid in the middle ear loiters around due to reoccurring ear infections, it holds a possibly that it could impair hearing loss and even cause problems with speech..possibly learning.

What watchful and caring parent would not want to prevent such devastating consequences when it could be avoided??

Literature and studies over several decades illustrate no such evidence, in fact, a few studies have confirmed that those with ear tubes suffer greater damage to their eardrums. Some even have poorer hearing after the tubes were removed. Say Wha?!

WTF

Just to recap again - there is little to no evidence of a significant relationship between a history of ear infections and children’s academic skills in the future.

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics found that the steady increase in tympanostomy tube procedures to be a bit fishy. In 2004, they published updated clinical guidelines, written to avoid unneeded surgery, emphasizing that the problem usually resolves itself within three  months without the surgery. 

Still, this impractical procedure is still being pushed on unsuspecting parents and their children. Of course there are severe circumstances in which it can be benefical, however, every case should be examined closely.

Instead of placing plastic tubes in little ones ears, how about doctors start by educating parents early on to avoid ear infections as best they can in the first place? Is that too logical? I don’t get it. Here, I’ve done some reading for them:

-Don’t feed babies bottles lying down

-Don’t let people smoke around the baby (duh)

-Ear infections are mostly secondary to the common cold – practice good hygiene and wash your damn hands and cover your mouth when you cough

-Breastfeed for as long as possible

Water Fluorination

Yes – fluoride purposely placed in your water supply for the sole purpose of medicating the population (particularly children) in preventing cavities is absolutely ridiculous. Especially when there are easy available alternatives to prevent cavities, such as – yup, you guessed it – a toothbrush!

Cats love licking toothbrushes with their dirty ass tongues and
putting their paws covered in liter in glasses of water.

The fluoride used for water fluoridation does not have FDA approval and is considered an "unapproved drug".

In fact, fluoridated water is no longer recommended for babies (yes, you read that right). In November of 2006, the American Dental Association (ADA) advised that parents should avoid giving babies and infants fluoridated water.

Umm, then why are we still doing this? AND PAYING FOR IT!?

When water fluoridation began in the 1940s and '50s, dentists believed that fluoride needed to be swallowed in order to be most effective. This belief, however, has now been discredited by an extensive body of modern research. Fluoride has a minimal benefit when swallowed, while carrying the possibility of many risks.

Risks Include:

BRAIN DAMAGE- The National Research Council states that fluoride can damage the brain and can cause dementia-like effects (at the same concentration used to fluoridate water). Yikes! Also adverse effects on IQ among children have been documented.

THYRIOD. DAMAGE- Did you know that fluoride is an endocrine disrupter. What does that mean exactly - well it means that drinking fluoridated water may reduce the function of the thyroid – which can lead to loss of mental acuity, weight gain and depression. What a downer.

SPECIAL CONCERN FOR KIDNEY PATIENTS- The deal with mass fluorination is that water does not discriminate- People with kidney problems have a heightened susceptibility to fluoride toxicity. As a result, drinking water that contains fluoride can accumulate in the bones and cause a painful bone disease (renal osteodystrophy) in kidney disease patients.

A much more common and increasingly prone problem specifically within children is dental fluorosis which is caused by the ingestion of fluoride.

What does fluorosis look like? Well, it isn’t all that pretty. The enamel may be pitted, rough and especially difficult to clean. The spots and stains left by fluorosis are PERMANANT and may darken over time. Neat huh?

this is a picture of what Steve looked like before
ingesting flouride

One of the main arguments by those advocating water fluoridation is that it’s needed because it helps poor kids. But according to the Surgeon General in 2000, approximately 80 percent of children on goverment assistance (Medicaid) don’t receive any dental care because dentists don’t accept Medicaid Insurance.

Perhaps we could use the money used to pay to fluoridate our water supply to subsidize dental care for children? Hmmm…. oh, that’s just silly.

Circumcision

THE most common surgical procedure in the country is oddly not recommend or endorsed by any known medical organization on the planet Earth (however I’ve heard it’s mandatory on Uranus, Neptune and the northern factions of Pluto).

Neptune and Uranus are much more larger then Earth
which makes them right

Nonetheless, dozens of studies confirm the extreme pain of circumcision.  It has been labeled as among the most painful procedures performed in neonatal medicine.

Circumcision doesn’t cure anything; in fact it is a procedure in search of a disease…

Diseases that circumcision has purportedly touted to cure among the last several decades range from masturbation (I’m not sure if this is considered a disease, rather its just iicky and boys should never touch wieners), epilepsy, schizophrenia, urinary tract infections, and cancer.

None of these have held up to scientific scrutiny.  

Overall, despite all of the medical literature, the popularity of the procedure rests on the idea of conformity.

don't be a cracker-jack

Isn’t that what we’re all about anyways? People that are unique are weirdos anyways.

Well-Child Visits

The first schedule for preventive child health care was created in the mid sixities by the Council on Pediatric Practice.  We’ve come so far from then…

The schedule since then has been modified many, many, many, many times – leading for moms and dads to have many opportunities to play Russian Roulette with their healthy newborn infants in the infested waiting rooms of doctor’s offices across the nation in hopes to learn how long their baby is.

here, let me spit in your mouth while I rub your face on my ass

Don’t get me wrong – the development and growth in the early months and years of children should be monitored in some way. However, quality of care outlined in each “well-baby” visit is greatly unimpressive.

Do you realize that nearly half of pediatricians agree there is sufficient time to perform developmental assessments in these visits?

Shoot – I can measure and weigh my baby in the safety of my own house. And those percentiles? What a joke. They only lend themselves as bragging rights for parents – “Little Timmy is in the 70% percentile” – “Oh, really, well little Annie is in the 150^th percentile, bitch.”

No, I have the biggest head, damn it.

There is a pressing need for better, more rational, and scientifically guided preventative care for children. In fact, there is very little research on the effectiveness of preventative pediatric care.

The current system is flailing. Trying harder will not work – changing systems of care will. Pediatricians cannot squeeze more into what limited time they are already working with.  

Developmental and behavioral problems of all types seem to be increasing AND occurring at younger ages – evidence that simply providing more as the same is not helping our children. The current approach to well-child care is inadequate and stands as a barrier to effective care.

Should you forego well-child visits all together? If you do, then you would be a part of an increasing lot of parents that question the value in them. The low rateof attendance at well-child visits is alarming pediatricians – but rather should be shown as evidence of a system of care that needs overhauled.

Antibiotics

This isn’t a surprise, is it? Did you know that we are reaching an estimate of near half the time a child pays his or her doctor a visit they will leave with a prescription for antibiotics?! This includes sick visits AND routine well-child check-ups!

Antibiotics were an astounding advancement in the treatment of bacterial diseases, now it seems that doctors are prescribing them more and more for viral illness  (“just to be on the safe side”).

Didn't years in medical school teach them antibiotics aren't effective on a virus?

Doctors may be under the impression that children get better faster with antibiotics –research illustrates this is simply not true. Then throw in the fact that antibiotics carry very real side effects….PLUS, children are much more likely to suffer from those side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain (caused by the complete extermination of healthy flora in the gut).

Excuse me while I take my 5th dump this morning

The reckless practice of making it rain with antibiotics is harmful to children and to the environment. Children may seem to get better a bit quicker at first but they are also more likely to get sick more often.

Nate Dogg would appreciate this picture

Here is something to arm yourself with the next time you take your child to the doctor – one simple sentence, “Is there any way to safely make my son/daughter feel better without antibiotics?”.

Let us take an active role in our children’s health.

Here is somewhere to learn more: Dr. Mendelsohn’s How To Raise A Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor.

Do you have any medical procedures that you think should be added to the list?

Sources

Edward L. Schor, MD. Rethinking Well-Child Care. Neoreviews (Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics). Vol 114, No 1. July 2004

10 Facts about Fluoride. Fluoride Action Network Website

Abortion: Dirty Little Secret

Dear God,

Please feed my baby when he is hungry,

And when he is sleepy, could you please hold him close and sing him a song?

When it’s bath time, please wash his face and kiss him when it’s clean,

make sure to put lotion on him and comb his soft hair because I can’t do it right now.

When you hold him in Your arms, please kiss him on his little nose and cuddle his soft cheeks.

When I was younger and went to the doctor, I didnt fully understand the depth of motherhood and a mothers love. I chose to deny your life.

…deny your little arms and legs that I should have kissed and put lotion on... your feet that I should have put little socks on. Your tiny hands that I would have kissed, and would pull my hair. Deny your little heart that should beat strong, day and night while you explore your new world, until you would grow old...

I was supposed to keep you safe and protect you from harm and hurt. I took you from the safest place you could be. I took your life, but not your soul.

Now, I would stop breathing for eternity, to give you your first breath.

You have two little sisters, I must stay here and help them grow. I love you just as much as I love them.

I will meet you very soon –

until then please know that I am sorry and that I didn’t realize how much I love you until it was too late.

Love,

Momma

****



P Alderman - watercolorbypamela.com



I admit, my honesty does not come easily – my goal in surrendering this secret is to help other women know they are not alone.

I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools – in junior high, I was a part of the Right to Life group and volunteered to march in Washington DC to support banning abortions. This background armed me with judgement and the knowledge that abortion was wrong – but it did not arm me to seek out help in an unplanned pregnancy.  Instead, it made a young girl feel shameful of my pregnancy; hiding it – then eventually deciding to terminate it because I felt there was no other option.

How many other girls have a story similar to mine? How can we prevent our daughter from the same path?

Approximately 28% (1 out of 4) of women will decide that abortion is the best option for them when they become pregnant. Facing an unplanned or medically challenged pregnancy, a woman may feel there is no alternative-the pressures of their circumstances are often overwhelming with a lack of support.

Women (and men) can feel very alone and do not always know where to turn for help – I know, I didn’t.

It seems women who know better don’t discuss it (I know I never have, until now – 10 years later). They are in essence keeping a secret that might empower other women from choosing another path.

Many people close to a woman who is in a crisis pregnancy don’t feel comfortable with the decision to abort, but they don’t know what to say.

From my experience, the most helpful response should be, “Don’t have an abortion, I will not abandon you. Together we will find a better way.”

Abortion is viewed as a means to solve their problem –although nothing is said about the problems abortion creates (shame, fear, exteme sadness). Most women do not seek help for abortion-related problems until about 5-12 years afterwards.

If you need help dealing with an abortion, check out Project Rachel.  For over 25 years, Project Rachel has been offering confidential nonjudgmental counseling to help women and men find healing and hope after being involved in an abortion. There are about 140 offices across the country. It costs you nothing to get help.

Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself