By Mona Austin
Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court cases that provides protection for women's access to abortion federally is under considieration in the high court bringing the focus on the right to life debate recently. Millions of American women have depended on the law to make personal choices related to family planning and health. Some believe the overnment havin a say in reproductive health is over-reach.
The United States is ranked 15th in the world with an abortion rate of 20.8 abortions per 1,000 women. While, the media is saturated with news of women fighting for the rgiht to abortion access, the first thought is not always about whether to "keep or kill" for women facing the prospect of motherhood. But, in the pro-choice argument there tends to be only one choice -- not multiple choices -- and that is havin the right to stop a pregnancy at some point in the pre-natal process. Those who face pregnancy alone, often just don't how to make it work. How many more women would give birth if they felt supported? Perhaps it is time for organizations to place more attention on support for women who decide to give a new life a chance.
Shared below, the story of gospel artist Fred Hammond is an extraordinary example of how abortions can block unknown potential. It is a powerful testament to the viability of a fetus and a what could happen if a woman with an unplanned pregnancy facesher fears.
The survival testimony of Fred Hammond By Mona Austin
Gospel artist Fred Hammond survived a botched abortion. He shared his testimony with fellow gospel singer Donnie McClurkin in in a 2011 video that went viral. He had speant most of his life thiniking he was born under normal circumstances. In light of the focus on the abortion issue and emphasis on access to abortions, this story is a rare reflection of the other side for those who choose to keep their children despite the odds.
At the aeg of 47, the artist learned from his mother Mildred Hammond that he was aborted. Through tears Ms. Hammond confessed that she had the procedure done and was supposed to induce a miscarriage. Doctors sent her home with a ba to discard the When nothing happened she returned to the clinic a second time to try again. The doctor confirmed that the initial procedure did not work. They were poised to re-do it, assuring her they would get it right the second time. Instead of proceeding, she ran out of the office.
"They thought they got me, but at the end of the day God had a plan for a broken situation," said Mr. Hammond, a multi-award winnin singer and producer. Jeremiah 1:5 reads, "Before you were in your mother's womb I knew you." This Bible verse is frequently quoted by pro-life Christians to say that God does not make mistakes and every life is intentionlly desitned to be here.
Fred Hammond's personal testimony was strengthened by knowing this part of his story. One of Hammond's most popular recordings says, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper," which is based on the scripture Isaiah 54:17. His mother believed it was by divine intervention that she decided to get off the table and accept her fate. Ultimately, it was her reloigious values, believing that God would conde'mn, that stopped her in her tracks and made her run out of the doctor's office. The talented artist to have been born healthy after his mohter's attemtped abortion is miraculous. Through his music ministry and inevitable existence, he has proven his purpose was divinely ordered.
Like Ms. Hammod, many women feel afraid, helpless and hopeless when they become pregnant unexpectedly. A Chirstian getting pregnant out of wedlock has the additional burden of bein judged for an "unholy" act. (Although sex before marraige is normal today, it was not in Ms. Hammond's time and is still frowned upon in most reliious denominations.) Faced with the crucial decision to become mothers, for various reasons some women opt to abort. These women are not the sterotypical teen who does not want to ruin her future, the girl who was raped or youn adult who had a one night stand. They are wives, Christian women, women with careers, married women with families. Women who seek abortions are all races and ages and from all walks of life. In fact, Black women lead in aborations.
Reasearch indicates the top 3 reasons women choose abortion are: 1) Affordability, 2) Not wanting to be a single parent 3) Relationship problems.
On the flipside, there are cases when women decide they want to have thier babies. Abortion was not the answer for Hammond's mother, afterall. Other women who are not comfortable proceeding with an unplanned prenancy may find that abortion is not for them. For religious or other convictions, Alternatives include prepraring to have the child, getting support from family to raise the child or adoption. Couples who have infertility issues welcome the opportunity to become parents after failed attempts to have their own children. Talking to experts who know about people desiring a family is one approach.
Many women consider other ways to move forward with childbirth. They reality is that no one knows the outcome of bringing life into the world. As the testimony of Fred Hammond shows, life can be filled with postive possibilites.