"This is a long story but will try to keep it short. I had been sexually abused from the age of 9, and got pregnant when I was 16. I was so scared and didn't know what to do. I had never told anyone what was happening and just wanted it all to go away. I lied to the doctors and told them that I got pregnant to a boy from school. I decided to get an abortion as I thought that it was my only option. I was 17 by the time I had the abortion, I went to the clinic and sat in the waiting room, I could feel my heart racing but I tried not to panic. I felt like I was in a dream and had no control of what was happening, straight after the abortion I felt a sense of relief but this didn't last long. That night I couldn't sleep and just kept thinking of what I had done. I became withdrawn from my friends and dropped out of school. I was working at the local grocery and did as many shifts as I could to keep me from thinking about what had happened. I had horrible nightmares about the abortion and the abuse. It took me 5 years to tell someone the truth of what had happened. My family still don't know and I'm not sure if I will ever tell them (I don't talk to my family) l am now 23 and teach infant aquatics, some days are harder than others but I'm so lucky to now have friends that are so supporting. I go to counseling every week and I still have a long way to go in healing from this. All I can say is it does get better and there is good help and support you just need to speak out. Which I know is not very easy but worth it." —Suzanne
