Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Letters to th4 Aborti, DVear1 Mr. Beche: Last summer I flew to New York and had an abortion. My ex perience was very different from the one which was depicted in your February 8 articles. It seemed that the two articles would make one feel rather ashamed and guilty about the whole thing. Such terms as "terminating your child's life" and "I couldn't shake the feeling of being a bad boy who had been caught" would only serve to make one feel worse. I would very much like to see this letter published so that other girls who may find themselves with a similar problem will realize that the picture for them is not totally bleak. I do not advocate my solution as the answer for everyone, but certainly would like for them to know that it does not have to be a "bad experience." In the first place, no girl ever thinks she will really get pregnant. But what can she do when the doctor tells her that she is pregnant? Often dropping out of school and getting married is not the best solution; it may be the worst solution. Whatever her personal reasons, she may decide that an abortion is the best solution for her. Thank God she can now go to a place where it is legal and safe rather than walking to the streets searching for an illegal abortion. When I became pregnant, my T 'he Stu created by 90 hours and Seditor >)n may n fiance and I called Family Plan ning in New York. They quickly referred us to a clinic just outside New York City. They inquired about the price range we were interested in-- this could range from no charge to $600 depending on the individual needs and the clinic involved. Mine was $250. We called the clinic and set up a time. They were even nice enough to give freeway and bus instructions to those unfamiliar with the area. We arrived, they ran a few tests and then we settled down in the waiting room. Contrary to your article (which described a strained atmosphere in which no one spoke), those in the waiting room were reading books, discussing the vacuum aspiration method used in the clinic, laughing about how hungry they were and how good that steak was going to taste when they left (we were not to eat anything that day until after the abortion). After several hours (they were a little behind schedule that day), it was my turn. Fear gripped my heart! I, who almost faint if I have to get a cavity filled, was about to have an abortion. I dressed in a surgical gown and talked to a girl who had just had her abortion and was resting. The nurses and doctors were talking and joking in a relaxed manner -- which served to make me more relaxed. Then it was my turn. "Well, we HE STUD Ldent Gover AI The New With One Bleautifull handsome rit Maxi Monum the light ing g~ * 'This ring is< the Tlraditio Ladies' D)inni 2.0 GPR Requirei ot be 'bo have a southern belle next," my doctor kidded (there were ten other doctors employed and they rotated shifts). A nurse held my hand and talked to me while the doctor began. He explained as he worked just how the vacuum aspiration method works. I was given nothing for the pain--there was none! However, anesthesia is available at no extra cost if one desires it, but in the vast majority of cases it is not used. I talked to the nurse (some girls smoke cigarettes she told me). She held my hand and told me we were almost finished. I thought they were lying and gritted my teeth as I waited for the pain to begin. It never came. Suddenly it was over. Total time--nine minutes!! Is that all'? It can't be! I just co*dn't believe it! No pain nothing worse than a very slight cramp. Far simpler than having a cavity filled! I got off the table and waled to the recovery room. I red a few minutes and asked if I could see my fiance. He came in. P4tor thing, he was white as a sheet an is hands were like ice. He was in much worse shape than I was. I reassured him. Thirty minutes later we walked out of the clinic. All that wasted worry for nothing! Later that night we ate with two of the other girls who had been at the clinic with me---one came alone from Michigan while the other came from New Jersey with her ENTS' C nment AsE Jniversity a USC Signet Piece Constr. ydesigned, this ig shows the library,9 enit new coliseum and amecock on the sides. iffered in addition to ial USC Ring and er Rings. BUI 9U S( Ld experie mother. We became friends. We talked about what had happened and why we decided to take such a step. We had no regrets. I still have no regrets. My purpose is not to glorify abortion, for I realize that it is a serious move. I merely wish for you to view my experience through my eyes. I have referred several girls to this facility and none have regretted the move. I am not recommending that abortion is the answer for everyone, but please, if you find that you or your girl friend is pregnant and (for whatever your reason), you decide to have an abortion, don't delay. The sooner an abortion is done, the safer it is. Call any of the agencies which make referrajs -- they are waiting to help. I would like to add that mosl abortions are less risky than having your tonsils removed. In East European countries there is an average of three deaths for every 100,000 such early abortions. By contrast, tonsillectomies in this country result in 17 deaths per 100,000. A legal abortion can be much safer than childbirth. I have no regrets about my abortion and am very thankful there are a few states with the courage to pave the way toward a safer and better approach to a world wide problem. NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST HOICE mociation Sr f South Car )fficial Ring I February 17 am to 4 pn Campus Shoj Meet DD CRONJIlN : ALUMNUS John Roberts Rlepresentative nce Warning Dear Mr. Heebe: I was very interested in your coverage of the peace demon stration held in Columbia two weekends ago. I was even more interested in the statements of a Mr. Gary Jardim of the Progressive Students for Change. Mr. Jardim spoke of his intentions to "Initiate some offensive... .to mobilize the campus." I would like to warn Mr. Jardim that the major mobilization will be against groups such as his. Since the trouble last spring, many of us have talked of a course of action if our rights are infringed upon again. It won't be students versus pigs. patrolmen, and National Guardsmen. It will be students against students. The silent majority will not be silent, nor will we be denied our rights to pursue our education. We recognize the rights of in dividuals to protest peaceably. There are very few people left in this country who support the war. Our group anti-war. But, when we. say "Peace," we mean everywhere. We will not see this campus turned into a battle ground for attention-seeking troops of "concerned stuudents." Anyone who is interested in the non-violent action party is invited to seek information from U-3823, USC. HOH BRUCE I onsored Dolina Ring )ay )