i was 15, my boyfriend and i had been dating since i was 14 (which is when i lost my virginity). my parents were going through a divorce and i felt i had no one so i felt like he understood me.

i was 15 when an uncle by marriage took interest in me. he taught me to drive, bought me what ever i wanted, even the alcohol i asked for. then he introduced me to marijuana.

i wanted to become a mom since i was a teenager, but i knew that i needed to wait until i was financially stable and in a healthy relationship.

back in the late 50's i was pregnant and got the german measles. my dr. recommended an abortion. back then it went to a panel of 5 drs and they all recommended an abortion.

i had my abortion in 1971, pre roe v. wade, in nyc. i had never been outside my southern state by myself before and i was terrified.

i find comforting the statistic that 61% of abortions obtained are women who have 1 or more children. it makes me feel less alone.