In a leaked draft decision, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark case that guaranteed federal abortion access, and the 1992 challenge Casey vs. Planned Parenthood that maintained that right. With this decision, 26 states will pull the trigger on abortion laws that vary from tight restrictions to outright bans; many of these states’ restrictions or bans make no expectation if someone has been the victim of rape or incest. Make no mistake, other States run by GOP governors who are not among the 26 will soon add themselves to that list the second the decision is final.
It is a scary and uncertain time for anyone with a uterus who is of childbearing years and you can feel the fear in the air. It hangs like a thick coating and when you try to take a deep breath to clear your lungs, it gets deeper in them. Ever since the news broke, I’ve had this lingering ache in the pit of my stomach that won’t go away. It’s gotten so bad, that I’ve had to limit the amount of the news I’ve been consuming. If you know me, then you know I’m a news junkie and even in the worst of times I will watch and read any news I can get my hands on, but this hits home for me and I can’t bear another think piece about it. There’s something about watching news pundits debate my rights for hours on end that is unsettling to me.
And while much of this conversation has been centered around the likely loss of abortion access for millions, there is a group who never had it.
If you’re here from my reel, then you know my abortion story and the fact that I had the unwavering support of my family during that time. Planned Parenthood was easily assessable to me and my parents footed the bill as I was a 19-year-old broke college student. I had a place to recover and a support system to lean on but millions of people are not that lucky. I posted this same video on my Tik Tok and there was a single comment that made me nearly cry…..
Thank you this made me cry. I didn’t have access and I love my son but that helplessness was traumatic.
Tik Tok Commentor
Besides the shock of being pregnant, I only had one stressor…telling my parents. The thought of that and then having to race the clock, find the money, a clinic that had the ability to take me, and have support after to recover is gut-wrenching thought. Even worse, having to do all of that alone. It makes me physically sick. I feel an incredible amount of guilt that I had the privilege of support and resources while others don’t. It weighs heavy on me and as the days pass and inch closer to June when a final decision will be made, the heaviness grows.
I know this is not much, but I have gathered some resources that can help now, and potentially later if you or someone you know has limited access to abortion care.
Stock up on emergency contraceptives NOW! Amazon has a variety currently in stock and at various price points, but I’m not sure for how long, so I would get as many as you can comfortably afford and put them away in the event of an emergency.
If you are past the window for emergency contraceptives, and your state has tight restrictions
Hey Jane is a virtual abortion clinic that provides care to anyone who resides in any state where there are no telehealth restrictions for up to 10 weeks. They also offer financial assistance if you or someone else is in need of help.
Access Reproductive Care Southeast, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and Midwest Access Coalition are all organizations that will assist with travel, lodging, and even childcare in certain parts of the country for someone seeking abortion care.
If you have the ability, please donate to these organizations below. And if you can make your donation amount recurring. These places will need all the help they can get.
AbortionFunds.org: Provides a master list of abortion care organizations by state
Women’s Reproductive Right’s Assistance Project: Largest national independent abortion fund that provides funding for emergency contraceptives and abortions throughout the US, working directly with around 700 clinics nationwide.
Indigenous Women Rising: Protects native people’s rights to equitable and safe health options by providing financial aid to indigenous callers seeking abortions throughout the US and Canada.
The Brigid Alliance: Nationwide fund that supports people traveling long distances across the country for late-term abortions.
I normally sign off with words of encouragement or hope, but right now it is hard to muster up.
This post will be updated continually as I learn of more helpful resources.
XOXO,
Shanna
photos by Sandy Swagger Jones