Author: Seema Syed

Seema Syed had a later abortion. She writes under an alias. Her piece was made possible by We Testify—an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who’ve had abortions, increasing the spectrum of abortion storytellers in the public sphere, and shifting the way the media understands the context and complexity of accessing abortion care. We Testify invests in abortion storytellers to elevate their voices and expertise, particularly those of color, those from rural and conservative communities, those who are queer-identified, those with varying abilities and citizenship statuses, and those who needed support when navigating barriers while accessing abortion care.
Compassionate Strangers Made My Late Term Later Abortion Happen

Compassionate Strangers Made My Abortion Happen

When I realized I needed an abortion, I didn’t realize that it would be a destination abortion. I didn’t realize how many barriers—how many people—would be in my way just so I could get the abortion I wanted, when I wanted it. But thankfully, with the help of complete strangers, I was able to get the abortion I wanted at 30 weeks.

I wonder what our society could look like if we all held a bit more empathy and grace for people like me, who have later abortions and no one to support us.