Among the contentious debate in the United States concerning women’s right to choose, I found myself in the midst of making my own choice: To continue with an unplanned pregnancy, or to access Halifax’s abortion services. I chose the latter. Naturally, I was scared of the process, and scared about the judgement that I could face from pro-life medical practitioners.

All I can say is thank god for the staff at the clinic. They were nothing short of miracle workers, and made a really, really shitty situation into an empowering, validating experience. They helped me to understand that it is OK—and well within my right—to say that it is not my time to be a parent. They allowed me to cry, and they understood that while I was confident in my choice, I was still harbouring guilt over having to make it. I did not experience ANY judgment towards my choice, and felt nothing but a sense of deep personal respect.

To the one nurse in particular (you know who you are), please know that you are a beacon of hope in an otherwise traumatic situation. You held my hand and wiped tears of emotional and physical discomfort from my face, all while telling me that I was doing the right thing for me. I will never forget the kindness you showed me, and I hope you know that you and your colleagues are making a huge difference in the lives of women in Halifax.
—The PhD Candidate