Ten observations about my moonlighting job...

[blogtastic_dee]

For over a year and half, I’ve led a secret professional life. My primary source of employment, and my heart’s true calling, is in the emergency services field as a 911 responder. And that’s clearly no secret! I’ll tell anybody who stands still long enough to listen about my beloved vocation as a paramedic. However, I’ve been afraid to be honest

Comments

[anonymous]

When I was young my lover and I became pregnant. We decided to have the baby and share our lives together. At the third month a routine ultrasound revealed that the fetus had anencephaly and that the chance of survival after birth was none. There was great sadness; the abortion process was emotionally painful for both of us, and much more for her. Our lives changed after that, and we drifted apart. I think of her on occasion and hope she is well.

I mention this because your point about emotional scarring. I think for some folks it does happen, but it doesn't overshadow the necessity of abortion. My case was medically obvious. Others are less so; but that doesn't negate the greater good for the woman, the family, and society at large.

[blogtastic_dee]

Yes, the emotional wounding does exist. I would never say that it doesn't. I agree that there is an inescapable necessity to this procedure, at this point in history, that cannot be denied. I also hope that your former lover is well and happy.

[zenkitty_714]

Thank you so much for writing this.

[zenkitty_714]

I am a redneck male from the north country and I love this article. It is not a perfect world, we all wish it were, women's rights are women's rights as is true for all people. We need to have meaningful and truthful dialog about many social issues, but we are not. Making women in an emotional and painful period of their lives the enemy is not the answer. We need to unite as Americans, not red or blue, conservative or liberal, democrat or republican, but as the nation we could, and should, be. Strong' peaceful, brave and fair to all people, at all times.

[blogtastic_dee]

Wow. This is a very beautiful reply. Thank you so much for making it. I like your vision.

[blogtastic_dee]

Aw. Thank you for reading it! When a person writes something raw and honest, they are done such a favor by being warmly read, with an open heart.

[anonymous]

Very thoughtful piece. I commend your courage. By the way, even married people have accidents when birth control fails and they are worried about if their family will stay together. I feel the same way about forcing a women who has been raped to carry a child. I think it would be very cruel. If it were me, I would stop at nothing to get rid of it.

[blogtastic_dee]

Yes, that is something I learned in the clinic setting that surprised me: It's not just young, unmarried women. There are a lot of private and valid reasons for a woman to make this agonizing choice. Thank you for reading it.

[anonymous]

Thankyou

[blogtastic_dee]

Thank you, too.

[traballenguas]

I'm so proud of you. You are awesome!

BTW, I'm moving to the Bay Area next week.

[blogtastic_dee]

Thank you for your kind words.

Whoa! I guess things are really different, if you're switching continents.

[traballenguas]

Indeed. Did you fall off my friends list? I'll check my filters. How are you? Haven't heard anything in ages.