In the name of choice
MONTREAL, QC—Twenty-five years ago, Canada struck down its abortion laws. This year, 25 women are walking from the Henry Morgentaler abortion clinic in Montreal to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa to tell the whole story about abortion.
The "Back to Life Walkers," ages 17 to 55, began their 200-kilometre journey at the beginning of April with plans to reach Ottawa May 9. There they will join the annual March For Life rally on Parliament Hill.
"Canada has no restrictions on abortions," says Back to Life organizer Faytene Grasseschi. "Many Canadians are not aware of that standard. When Canadians know, a lot of them are really shocked and most—even pro-choice Canadians—believe there should be some standard, at least for health reasons."
While abortion has recently become a hot topic on Parliament Hill, Grasseschi explains that awareness, not politics, is the walk's main focus.
"Our goal is to give women back their voice. So many women are starting to share that they have been victims of abortion harassment and felt pressured into abortion. This walk is about love. If we love women, we will be willing to talk about the whole story of abortion," she says.
Many of the walkers experienced traumatic, coerced abortions in their teens. They hope that by sharing their stories Canadians will see another side of women's rights.
"My past includes abuse, suicide attempts, eating disorders and multiple abortions," says Lisa LeDoux. "I have learned that God wants to use my past to help others."
As a teenager, LeDoux was repeatedly raped and abused by her boyfriend. She became pregnant and her parents threatened to kick her out unless she had an abortion. Feeling hopeless, alone and without options, she went through with the abortion. However, LeDoux, now a mother of five, is not resentful.
"I feel it is important for Canada to see that pro-life people are not full of judgement," she says. "We are walking out of love for the doctors, the women and the men involved."
LeDoux says she is walking to help women overcome the shamed and trauma caused by abortion.
"Abortion isn't a quick fix," she says. "It lasts forever. Once you go down that road, it keeps going and it's hard to get off."
Another walker, Laura Lewis, is a family physician who is concerned that women rarely share this emotional trauma with their doctors.
"We need to raise awareness about the impact abortion has on women," Lewis says. "As a physician, I am walking to raise awareness in the medical profession. Canada is a [global] leader in so many areas, but in this one we have no laws. We are in the company of only China and North Korea."
"There is a reason some doctors are not willing to do late term abortions. With a loving heart we need to talk about the realities," says Grasseschi. "With the current adoption wait lists in Canada there is really no such thing as an unwanted newborn."
The Back to Life website includes videos of participants sharing their abortion experiences. Grasseschi says many women have contacted them saying these videos helped them begin their post-abortion healing process.
"As women are hearing the stories, they find their voice. When you start telling the story of Canadian women who, in the name of choice, didn't have a choice, it adds a new dynamic to the discussion."
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