Phyllis Rosen and Isabella Gonzalez
Recorded
May 11, 2022
Archived
May 11, 2022
45:22 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv001681
Description
New friends and conversation partners Phyllis Rosen (74) and Bella Gonzalez (25) discuss Phyllis' experience with abortion, the impact of her trauma, the evolution of her trauma over time, the healing process, and what it means to tell abortion stories in light of the overturning of Roe v Wade.Subject Log / Time Code
PR shares her abortion story. She had an extremely unlikely pregnancy and shared that her boyfriend at the time proposed marriage and felt that they should raise the child. Phyllis decided her only option was to terminate the pregnancy.
PR describes traveling to Washington, D.C. and her expectations for the procedure. The initial plans were disrupted due to being warned of a police raid.
PR describes what happened to her during the abortion procedure, the traumatic impact of the procedure, and how the illegality of procedure enabled horrific torture. She speaks about how she felt after she was returned to her hotel room.
PR shares her decision to not share her experience with others outside of therapy and what informed that decision. She reflects on the shame and illegality of her procedure and how that contributed. She didn't tell her story until recent years.
PR shares how sharing her story recently has brought her healing.
PR shares what she would tell her 19-year old self today.
PR reflects on what she's taken away from her experience over the years.
PR shares about her second abortion and how it was different from her first. She shares about how she was able to find the courage to go again after the brutality of her first. Her partner's presence made her experience much more positive.
PR expresses gratitude for the silver lining that current events are bringing out those stories. She reflects on how it's been to hear other women's experiences with abortion and the common theme of the trauma. She reflects on the emotions that accompany terminating a pregnancy.
PR speaks about being a coach and how her professional lens impacts her understanding of trauma. She speaks about the importance of accepting trauma as a step to healing.
PR shares what was the impetus to share her story. The election of Donald Trump was the moment when she realized it was time to talk about her experiences.
PR reflects on the importance of holding onto compassion and vulnerability in the face of an increasingly cruel and violent world.
Participants
- Phyllis Rosen
- Isabella Gonzalez