Abortion's painful aftermath

By Angela Steenstra

A new important new video After the Choice is sure to make a significant impact on women who have undergone abortion and the entire right to life community.

It is a black and white video presented in large screen format drawing the viewer to focus on the facts. A host of women tell their own story from the moment they learn of their pregnancy to the choosing of abortion including its subsequent aftermath.

Women of varying backgrounds identify all the steps of the decision, the feelings of fear, ambiguity, loneliness, shame, isolation, pain, suffering, quilt, despair and regret that accompany the choice of abortion. All share their guilt at the loss of their baby. Their stories contradict the widely-held opinion that choice of abortion has little or no effect on the lives of mothers or others.

The women reveal by testimonies that they are deeply touched by their decision and that the whole event has forever drastically changed their lives for the worst. They are dealing with physical and psychological problems that are directly connected to the deliberate choice for abortion.

The video succeeds in exposing the "deception" that abortion is the solution to the insufferable suffering of an unwanted or undesirable pregnancy. The testimonies clearly attest to the fact that these women have become "victims" of choice; a choice that does carry with it further burdens and consequences.

The video does not deal with the moral issue of abortion as an intrinsic evil, nor does it point out the need to enter the process of reconciliation and healing.

One can and needs to move from regret and remorse to repentance and conversion in order to integrate the abortion experience into one's life. Abortion must be faced for what it is, the taking of human life. Whether the abortion decision was fully one's own choice or one made by coercion, ultimately each victim must take responsibility for the part played, seek forgiveness, turn away from ever repeating this act in the future and seek the healing mercy of God Who alone is the giver and taker of life. There is "Life" after the choice.

After the Choice could be helpful in educating these considering abortion, that, the negative life-changing effects from beginning to end be brought to their awareness.

It could a helpful tool for those who have experienced abortion to identify the signs and symptoms of post-abortion aftermath. Lastly After the Choice would be most helpful to those caught in the rhetoric of choice. This video successfully cuts away at the pro-choice rhetoric exposing the stark reality of abortion and its real effects on the lives of all.

It would be an asset to Pregnancy Crisis Centres, Libraries and Pro-Life Groups to name a few.

After the Choice is available from Life Cycle Books, 2205 Danforth Ave., Toronto, telephone (416) 690-5860.