Why grandpa called me ‘Twice-Born’

THE EDITOR: To assist our Government, the Prime Minister and the Attorney General with their dilemma concerning the decision to revise or not to revise our laws on abortion, concerned citizens need to speak out and express their views on this important matter.

I was glued to TV6 a few days ago when Morning Edition featured Ms Leela Ramdeen representing the Catholic Commission for Social Justice and the Emmanuel Community, and Ms Lynette Seebaran-Suite on behalf of ASPIRE. Theirs was a very lively debate. It was with great interest that I read the letter which Ms Ramdeen sent to the PM and which was published in Newsday of August 16 under the heading — “We must promote a culture of life”. I support the views she expressed in her article. I also read the paid advertisement by ASPIRE which was also published in Newsday of August 17 under the heading “Pro-Life Supports Action for Women’s Health”. This is one citizen who is truly Pro-Life. I cannot support the death penalty, for human life is not ours to take, neither can I in this particular matter support the changing of our Abortion Laws under the guise of lessening the burden on our women.

You do not deal with the problem of drugs and substance abuse by legalising marijuana and cocaine. Neither do you deal with the problem of unsafe abortions by legalising it. To my mind, the Government should be more concerned with strengthening the social safety not with greater support for our pregnant women; promoting the dignity of women and the sanctity of life, rather than facilitating Pro-choice to be more closely associated with the killing of the foetus. Because, make no mistake, to a desperate pregnant woman that is what Pro-choice means — abortion. Many people in this country know me as a Corporate Manager with First Citizens Bank, a lover of pan music, fishing and nature. Only a few family members and close friends know that of my mother’s eleven pregnancies, me — number ten — gave her the most horrors. Yes, I am Pro-life because I am the product of a Pro-life decision. Fifty-two yeas ago my parents already had nine children and were living in the planning on Duncan Street. My mother — Mrs Louise Young nee Fortune — was in severe pain and so ill that she was warded at Port-of-Spain General Hospital. While being operated upon for what was diagnosed as a cyst the doctor discovered the four month old foetus. As my mother relates, she inquired of the doctor: “Why don’t you take the foetus?”

One would say today that all the concerns and reasons put forward by ASPIRE were evident in this case. The doctor responded: “I have taken an oath as a doctor to save life, not to take it; this is a strong foetus.” So as my mother often described: “The womb and foetus were temporarily removed and placed on top my stomach while the operation continued. At the end of the operation you were put back inside of me, sewn back up, and I delivered you normally at nine months. Your grandfather used to call you affectionately — Twice-Born”. It is therefore incumbent upon me to join my colleague in the Catholic Commission for Social Justice to call on our Government and other concerned citizens to take a true Pro-life approach to this issue. Do provide that social support for our poor and pregnant mothers; do provide the programmes that would increase the quality of their lives and well being; and for heaven’s sake do not lose sight of the fact that life is precious and it is not ours to take.

MARIO A YOUNG
Glencoe