I recently read a book I think everyone should read. It’s Unplanned by Abby Johnson. It’s the story of how Abby Johnson went from a director of a Planned Parenthood clinic to a pro-life advocate speaking out against her former employer.
Abby Johnson begins her story by recounting the moment that changed her stance forever–when she had to assist in an ultrasound-guided abortion. She watched as the baby struggled against the machine and was horribly dismembered and eventually aborted. The fact that the baby actually knew what was happening shook her worldview entirely. She knew she could no longer work at the clinic.
What I didn’t expect was my own opinion to be changed in several areas by this book. I am staunchly pr0-life. There is nothing that will convince me otherwise. In 2008, 1.21 million abortions were performed in the US alone, according to the Center for Disease Control. Over 333,000 were performed by Planned Parenthood in 2011. If this were the death tally of a serial killer, everyone would be outraged. But it’s aborted babies–which is allowed by law–so I’ve been told to shut up by my peers.
Before I read the book I had nothing but contempt for those who worked in the industry. As for those who aborted, I have tried my best to feel compassion for them and pray for them. But through this book, I learned a different attitude. I felt sorry for Abby when she admitted she had had an abortion herself.
Throughout the story, Abby praises the Coalition for Life protesters who gathered around her clinic every day abortions were performed, and their emphasis on compassion rather than extremism and fear-mongering. I too have always felt that showing hatred to those going to clinics doesn’t help our cause. In fact, itw as the compassion of these protesters that broke through Abby’s armor and slowly made her question her opinions. Even before the tumultuous even I alluded to, she had formed friendships with those she considered “the enemy.” When she tried to leave her job, they helped her with the court case that eventually followed. This experience led her to found the non-profit organization And Then There Were None, which also helps others in her position.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who is unsure of their position, is pro-life, or is open-minded enough to read it.
Aspie Catholic 