Commendably a walk for life is now held locally every year – which I am sure is popular among the participants and with thousands who like myself have not been able to participate but share in the same ideal. Another significant pro-life walk was that of the American Abby Johnson.
Ms Johnson was the director of an abortion facility in Texas, USA. However, when she actually participated in her first abortion procedure, everything changed. That simple act became a national news story because Ms Johnson was the director of the abortionist Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in her first actual abortion procedure, walked across the road, in a watershed moment, to join the anti-abortion volunteers of the coalition for life.
When Ms Johnson quit her job in October 2009 as the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas, the media went wild. Lawsuits were filed while pro-life advocates rejoiced. Now this former clinic director reveals the details of her dramatic move from abortion rights advocate to “the right side of the fence” and the pro-life movement. Ms Johnson began as a volunteer, moving through the ranks until becoming director of Bryan, Tex, abortion clinic. For me, Ms Johnson’s story reminds me of a few characters from another book, a common paperback Plague Ship (by another publisher) espousing the dire effects of the abortion credo taken to extremes. However, once this sincere woman full of ideals but initially misguided ones, witnessed an ultrasound guided abortion, she changed. A true conversion: “I was taking a new stand, beginning a new life,” she says of her move to the other side. This emotional account reveals Ms Johnson’s remarkable journey though pro-choice thinking, two abortions, her love/hate relationship with pro-life advocates outside the clinic, and her eventual understanding of abortion. Pro-life advocates sing with joy over her story, while presumably abortion rights advocates will be sceptical. However, those who read the book with an open mind will find inspiration, education and emotion. Ms Johnson offers a well-planned, well-written account that will touch nerves on both sides of the issue.
Unplanned (mentioned in Publisher’s Weekly and promoted by Reed Business Information) is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a court room battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Ms Johnson’s story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, the book Unplanned (Tyndale House, 2010) is an inspiring and convicting personal story that instils hope and compassion into the abortion controversy, and should make a voice for the civilisation of life through the protection of the defenceless. Those who care about the live versus “rights” debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies would surely profit from its insights.
Joseph G. Bonett
Ghajnsielem