As the controversy over abortion continues, many assume that the death of the baby is the only result. Pro-abortion advocates paint the picture that the child conceived, but not yet born, is only a mass of cells, but not truly a human being. One aspect of the controversy often overlooked is that some have survived the procedure, worse, some could have survived it they were not left to die outside the womb.
While there are many pro-abortion activists who present the case that the issue is about women's rights, there is one voice that stands and says, “Then what was my right?” This is the question posed by Gianna Jessen as she speaks around the world to include testimony to the United States Congress and the Parliament House at Melbourne, Australia.
Gianna Jessen has been telling her story for a number of years and her victory over abortion. She speaks about how she survived the attempts to kill her and that she had a tremendous will to live. She also speaks that she has been given the gift of cerebral palsy. She relates that she suffers from cerebral palsy because during the abortion process she had to fight for oxygen. The result has left a permanent mark upon her life. She notes she bears the mark of some else's choice.
Jessen was invited to sing the National Anthem to the Colorado General Assembly the same day the legislature was to consider a resolution honoring the 90th anniversary of Planned Parenthood, noted for its abortion clinics. ;; According to an account by Ted Harvey, Assistant Minority Leader in the Colorado House of Representatives during 2006, his path crossed Jessen's as he was wondering what he could say “that might pierce the darkness during the debate on this heinous resolution.”
In his account posted via the Catholic Education Resource Center, Harvey wrote that “As I listened to Gianna's amazing testimony, the Lord inspired me to ask her if she could stay in Denver until Monday morning so that I could introduce her on the floor of the House and tell her story.” According to Harvey, Jessen captivated the Colorado General Assembly until it was revealed that she was an abortion survivor. It was a stab at those considering the resolution to celebrate Planned Parenthood. ;; As Harvery related, “Imagine the timing! A survivor of a Planned Parenthood abortion arrived in town just days before the Colorado House of Representatives was to celebrate Planned Parenthood's 'wonderful' work.”
Harvey related that he was rebuked by the majority leader who was quoted by the “Denver Post” as saying, "I think it was amazingly rude to use a human being as an example of his personal politics."
Harvey responded, “Yes, Representative Madden, Gianna Jessen is a human being. She was when she was in her mother's womb, and she was when she sang the national anthem on the floor of the Colorado House of Representatives.”
Havey concluded, “All I can say is, 'Glory to God!' He orchestrated it all, every minute of it, and I was so honored to have been chosen to play a part. May we all continue to be filled with and to fight for the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
As prolife advocates continue the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, Jessen's story is a reminder that abortion is a choice about human life. As Jessen continuously asks, “If abortion is about women's rights, where were my rights?"
Cited Articles and Posts
Jill Stanek (19 Feb 08)
http://www.jillstanek.com/archives/2008/02/before_i_get_to.html
Catholic Education Resource Center (8 May 06)
http://catholiceducation.org/articles/abortion/ab0107.htm
LifeNews.com (6 Dec 05)
http://www.lifenews.com/nat1880.html
Gianna Jessen speech to Parliament House Part 1 (10 Sep 08)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ
Gianna Jessen speech to Parliament House Part 1 (15 Sep 08)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg
Gianna Jessen speech to West Coast Walk for Life (1 Feb 08)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg_zhEIpTjs
