Women in Ireland tell their ‘everyday stories’ about abortion

"I did all sorts of desperate things to myself".

A website that highlights the personal stories of women affected by the 8th amendment launches with an accompanying exhibition at Filmbase, 2 Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 on Tuesday, 7th November, at 10.30am. The exhibition focuses on eight personal accounts collected by Everyday Stories including women who travelled to access abortion services and women who risked a prison sentence by using abortion pills here in Ireland. The stories aim to offer an insight into the many reasons why women seek abortions, and the desperation they feel in not being able to access healthcare in their own country.

"I spent endless time searching online for ways to have a home abortion. I did all sorts of desperate things to myself, to no avail. I worked evenings after college, and double shifts to save. I cried constantly and couldn’t eat. When I finally had the abortion, I was terrified of the blood. I had agonising pains in a hotel room. I thought I was just going to die. I didn’t even really mind, sadly." Kate.

Irish artists created illustrations in response to the individual contributions to offer a visual aspect to the women's abortion stories. The experiences highlighted range from crisis pregnancy and diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality to the experience of an Irish nurse in England. The exhibition includes the story of one woman who had had previously considered herself to be anti-abortion until she found herself in a difficult situation.

"I had always thought of myself as “pro-life” but when it came down to it, I had to put the needs of my family first and so my partner & I decided that a medical abortion was the best option for our family". Roisin.

Another story speaks of the sad camaraderie of Irish women exiled in their hour of need.

"When I arrived at the clinic I recognised a woman I had seen crying in the bathroom in Dublin airport – her friend reassuring her that it would be OK, and there was another girl from my flight as well who couldn’t have been more than a teenager. We shared comforting smiles across the waiting room, knowing that each of us had made the same journey from Ireland that morning."

Caoimhe. Caoimhe Anglin, whose own story features in the exhibition, established the ‘Everyday Stories’ project said:

"We want to show that abortion is an everyday, essential healthcare service accessed by thousands of Irish women each year." "Through this exhibition and the accompanying website, we will reveal the humanity of complex lives, considered decisions and difficult journeys.  We hope ‘Everyday Stories’ will bring perspective,compassion and understanding to often divisive and difficult public debates, and will help us find common ground".

Illustrations via Louise Hickey