Limiting women limits our future

Posted on by Elizabeth Waters

I was deeply touched and brought to tears by the July 31 Opinion article, “The Face of Abortion.” I was also physically sickened to know that the decision to abolish abortion clinics in the state was made final. The legislation has set us back at least 50 years!

The article stirred such strong feelings within me, partially because of my political views, but also because it hit close to home. I was faced with the decision of whether or not to keep a child in March 2012, when I was 27 years old.

Ever since I was a teenager, I've thought about having children. Babies seemed to be this beautiful new beginning for couples in love. But I was not in love. Although I did take birth control precautions, I accidentally got pregnant. The child was conceived through a night of passion with a boy I knew from college. He was handsome, and we had a little too much to drink.

I had just moved to Asheville a few months prior to the pregnancy and was still trying to get myself financially and emotionally settled and stable. Neither of us were in the position to have a child. All I could see were disasters and difficulties in our future if I carried out the pregnancy.

So, with the support of my mom, I decided to go to a clinic in Raleigh where I received the pill form of abortion. The whole process was about two weeks and was very safe. The abortion was not as difficult and painful as I thought it would be.

Now I have my whole life ahead of me. I have created a new, spiritually awakened life here in Asheville and look forward to a future of light, love and endless possibilities.

The politicians that have decided to take the right to choose away from women have also limited the futures of women and have therefore limited the future of our country.

— Elizabeth Waters
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam
View all posts by Webmaster →

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “Limiting women limits our future”

  1. boatrocker

    According the the new NCGOP,

    You should have your child, raise it yourself on a single mother’s wage that reflects Buncombe County’s lack of an affordable wage,

    Then simply urge him to join the military in
    order to fight the next illegal unconstitutional
    war over corporate greed.

    I hear the flag and body bag is always free, and it’s so much more humane than actually owning your
    own body, according to Raleigh.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.