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OTALT/Helene Karlsson
Kathrin's story is collected especially for the SHHH project. All informants and stories in this project have been anonymised. All names are changed.
I walked into the clinic alone, past the fanatical anti-abortionists who not only held their vigils outside the clinic, but also approached me aggressively.
It happened 25 years ago. It happened unplanned and unwanted. I was travelling a lot, very busy, unattached. Despite my low income as an artist, I was full of life and full of plans. My flat and studio were tiny.
I often asked myself why I hadn't paid more attention. Why, as a well-educated and smart woman, I hadn't managed to spare myself this experience.
The father was a friend. Not my boyfriend. We had been drinking a lot and it was fine, uncomplicated sex. When the test showed this thin blue line, I didn't want to believe it. I walked into the clinic alone, past the fanatical anti-abortionists who not only held their vigils outside the clinic, but also approached me aggressively. A gauntlet. It was over quickly.
I often asked myself why I hadn't paid more attention. Why, as a well-educated and smart woman, I hadn't managed to spare myself this experience. Why I had taken a chance. But did I regret it? No, I have never regretted it. Today I am happy. And I am a very loving mother. I often think: If my life had turned out differently, my children wouldn't exist either."
