This Story of a 17-Year-Old Who Had an Abortion Shows the Likely Effects of the New Alabama Law

This story is just one of many experiences that highlight how lives can be improved through access to safe abortions.

Sophia

Published in Interesting
21 May 2019

This Story of a 17-Year-Old Who Had an Abortion Shows the Likely Effects of the New Alabama Law

In light of the recent passing of abortion ban laws in Alabama, people have been sharing their own experiences with abortion. The laws restrict abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. It's important to remember that reproductive rights are not just women's rights; non-binary individuals and trans men can also become pregnant. The language we use when discussing such issues is critical in ensuring that people's lives and experiences are not overlooked.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Many individuals have shared their experiences with abortion to illustrate the terrible impact these laws will have. This story, shared by Twitter user @meowmeowmeow07, has gone viral, with many people sending support and commending Brie for their bravery.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

The story begins with a 17-year-old whose boyfriend committed a heinous act.

When I was 17 years old, I had a boyfriend. The second time we ever had sex, he poked a hole into his condom behind my back. This resulted in my pregnancy.

I was 17 years old. I was terrified. After a store bought pregnancy test showed I was positive I went to my boyfriends (1)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

His reason is horrifying.

screamed with glee and told me that he had intentionally gotten me pregnant so he could “lock me in” because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.

I was confused & scared. I didn’t know how to act. I was 17 years old. My friend urged me to go to a women’s clinic (2)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie went to a so-called "women's clinic."

to make sure. Little did we know that this “women’s clinic” was owned by Christians. They proceeded to tell me that if I killed my baby, I would be a murderer, and murderers go to hell. I was 17 years old.

My friend took my hand and dragged me out of that clinic (3)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie then had to appear in front of a judge...

In order for me to get the procedure as a 17 year old without parental consent, I had to go in front of a judge who would grant me my rights to an abortion as long as I wasn’t using it as a means for birth control. I was granted my rights.

I took the day off of school and my(4)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie was granted an abortion.

friend drove me to the abortion clinic. This procedure took all of 5 minutes. There was no baby to remove and dismantle. There wasn’t even a fetus. It was an embryo that took 5 minutes and no blood shed to remove.

I went home and through confusion, a lot of tears and pure (5)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie tried to return to the life of a 17-year-old.

support from my friend, I tried to continue on with my 17 year old life. Shortly after I had time to think about what had actually happened, I broke up with him. He proceeded to pull a knife on me, but he cut his wrists instead.

He said if he can’t have me, he doesn’t want (6)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

But the boyfriend persisted.

to live. I was 17 years old. My parents who found out about my abortion and what he had done to me banned him from my house. For 10 years after, he stalked me. He showed up at my work. He knew how to get my new cell phone number I constantly had to change because of him. (7)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Eventually, he was arrested for stalking.

Brie could breathe a sigh of relief.

It was only when the police arrested him for stalking that he left me alone. I thank God everyday that I don’t have his child. That he wasn’t allowed to “lock me in.” He is a psychopath and I would hate myself if I had brought an actual living and breathing child into this (8)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie has never publicly spoken about this but was inspired to after the events in Alabama.

world with him as their father. I believe he would have killed us.

I’ve never spoken on this publicly. It has caused me pain and embarrassment, but if my story helps one person out there, then that means more to me than my pain. This is bigger than I am. (9)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

The fight for reproductive rights must be strong.

To the girls and women in Ohio, Georgia and Alabama and more states to come, I am with you. I will never stop fighting for your rights as a HUMAN. Stay strong and never be ashamed of who you are and what you do with your own body. (10)
— Brie 🐶 (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

People responded by sharing their stories.

I also had a very toxic bf that got me pregnant(not nearly as bad as your story). I’m so glad I didn’t bring a kid into the world where we constantly fought and made each other feel like shit. I was also way too young. A kid myself. We need our rights!
— local scrub (@spilled100beers) May 16, 2019

People even shared their own transitions from being pro-life to pro-choice.

i second that ... this is comming from someone who was a die hard prolife beliver(not cuz god but because my mother was raped and Me the result of it)didn't like the idea i may not have been here... but i'm a lot older now and feel no one owns anyone's body,let God deal with it
— Escaping The Lies (@Midnightmonstah) May 16, 2019

It's not just young people; abortion is a right for individuals of all ages and situations!

girl, don’t feel badly. i went through something similar but i was 32!! even grown women, who are already mothers, are deceived in to pregnancy. thank god for abortions. you are stronger than you realize.
— scarlet begonia (@reheatmycoffee) May 16, 2019

"It's your body and your right, and you should be able to control it."

If you’re pro life please read this. Thank you so much for sharing your story. That took a lot of courage and I’m happy you had the opportunity to exercise your legal right. It’s your body and your life you should be able to control it #ProChoice
— Alexa Mazyck (@alexaTmazyck) May 17, 2019

Celebrity Busy Phillips started a hashtag for people to share their stories.

1 in 4 women have had an abortion. Many people think they don't know someone who has, but #youknowme. So let's do this: if you are also the 1 in 4, let's share it and start to end the shame. Use #youknowme and share your truth.
— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) May 15, 2019

Women shouldn't have to suffer for their problems to be recognized.

The #youknowme hashtag contains a lot of deeply powerful testimonials but it just kills me that every time something awful is happening, women have to air out their traumas to make you see us as people.
— Ashley (@ashleyfahs) May 16, 2019

Clearly not pro-life in all cases then.

Let me point out that Alabama and Missouri have passed these bills stating it is to preserve ALL life. Yet, both states still have and use the death penalty. Alabama has an execution scheduled for today. It's not about life. It's about control and religion. #YouKnowMe
— Denise Nystrom (@NotDorothy) May 16, 2019

Reproductive rights are human rights!

#YouKnowMe is brave and amazing, just like #MeToo - but it is another example of women having to re-traumatize themselves or relive their hardest moment to explain that WE MATTER. Abortion is an easy decision for some but incredibly hard for others. We shouldn't have to do this.
— Ipsita Sen (@nesatispi) May 15, 2019