Abortion regret

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I AM writing with regard to Mark Wignall’s column in The Sunday Gleaner on October 14, 2018, titled ‘Cuthbert-Flynn’s uphill fight against abortion’.

It is more than 30 years since I chose not to carry my pregnancy to term. I made the decision without discussing it with my husband, or, for that matter, anyone who would alter my decision. I knew with selfexamination that I had conceived, and the realisation hit home the week leading up to Mother’s Day. Within that week, the act was done.

The doctor asked me why I did not want the pregnancy, and I replied that my husband had suffered a head injury that caused him to make angry outbursts to both the children and me.

Thirty years later, I am reminded, by my adult child, of being denied the benefits of a sibling who could have been an advocate in changing the world, maybe even someone like Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn. I note that Mrs Cuthbert-Flynn looked at the cost factor for termination of pregnancy in monetary terms, but not in the heart-rending, emotional, soul-searching, traumatic moments of regret.

I recently visited The Mustard Seed Communities in Spanish Town, saw the faith of those who work with children who have disabilities, saw the happiness of the community in circle time singing Father Abraham Had Many Sons. I also experienced the farming world. Just a mustard seed of faith would have taken that pregnancy and brought life to many others.

May God grant lawmakers wisdom on the way forward on this matter of life or death. CONCERNED READER Kingston