CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two women who had abortions stand on both sides of the issue.
This week, someone leaked a draft Supreme Court opinion that would likely overturn Roe v. Wade.
The landmark 1973 case established a constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. If the Supreme Court overturns it this summer, each state would decide on the legality of abortion.
According to Pro-Choice North Carolina, 92% of the counties in North Carolina don’t have an abortion provider. The organization says there are only 14 clinics in eight cities.
Betty Gunz volunteers for one of them in Charlotte.
She escorts patients into the Charlotte Planned Parenthood twice a week when abortions are performed.
“I escort patients through the protesters and get them in the clinic with as little harassment and intimidation from the protesters as possible,” Gunz said.
Those she calls protesters are opponents of abortion, who visit the clinic on days when the procedure is performed. Some try to get the attention of people entering the clinic with pictures and words.
“Come talk to us. We can help you,” an abortion opponent shouted to a patient.
Gunz had an abortion when she was 20. It happened in 1965, when abortion was illegal in the U.S.
“[I] had an illegal abortion because that’s what was available, and it nearly cost me my life. I developed sepsis,” Gunz said.
Sepsis is a life-threatening complication of an infection.
Gunz spent three months in the hospital recovering.
“I was lucky because most women who have that experience don’t survive it,” Gunz said.
She now worries that if the Supreme Court ends federal protection of abortion rights, some states would deny abortion rights.
“Making abortion illegal will not make abortion stop, it will just stop being safe, and that’s wrong,” Gunz said.“Making abortion illegal will not make abortion stop, it will just stop being safe, and that’s wrong,” Gunz said.
Gunz said she doesn’t regret the decision to end the pregnancy. She said her first husband, who was her boyfriend at the time, suggested the abortion, and she agreed to it.
“I had not even given any thought to having kids. I mean, I was barely out of my teens, and I'm barely able to take care of myself,” Gunz said.
Paige Brydon had an abortion and regretted it right after. She was 24 and in a fast-paced career.
Brydon said she made the choice after her boyfriend at the time broke up with her when she shared she was pregnant.
“I was absolutely devastated. I know that some people go through an immediate period of relief. I did not have that,” Brydon said.
Brydon, who lives in Union County, now supports an abortion ban. She advocates against abortion, talking to people in the community and to mothers who are contemplating abortion.
She's supportive of organizations, such as Love Life, and has spoken in favor of anti-abortion in the North Carolina Legislature.
“Certainly one person dies that day, and sometimes two, if not physically, certainly emotionally. It’s wretched [and] it’s barbaric,” Brydon said.“Certainly one person dies that day, and sometimes two, if not physically, certainly emotionally. It’s wretched [and] it’s barbaric,” Brydon said.
She said churches are increasing their resources and services to help women who have unplanned pregnancies.
She added that she believes churches will step up even more to help those choosing to continue pregnancy.
“I know there's some very difficult circumstances in which children are conceived. I understand that some of them are tragic, but if you will allow God to step in, in his sovereignty, he will make a way,” Brydon said.
Looking back, she wishes she had more support when she was deciding how to handle her pregnancy.
“If someone would’ve come alongside me and stopped me for just a moment. You are in such a panic that you can’t think of anything else,” Brydon said.
Brydon went on to marry and has two sons.
“Upon the birth of my first child, Miller, who has Down syndrome, I came to realize the importance of each life, regardless of the package it's brought in,” Brydon said.
Gunz said her life has been fulfilling professionally and personally.
“I was able to have a wonderful daughter who now has children…and a loving husband. It’s allowed me to have a life that’s a good life,” Gunz said.
Gunz hopes the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion is not final. Meanwhile, Brydon hopes it serves as a catalyst to spark more votes for candidates who are anti-abortion.
The American Civil Liberties Union said that overturning Roe vs. Wade alone would not change abortion rights in the state, and that the N.C. General Assembly would have to act to make abortion illegal.
Research from the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion-rights policy organization, estimates that if Roe vs. Wade is overturned, 26 states would likely ban abortion, including Tennessee and South Carolina.
