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SAN DIEGO, CA, February 25th, 2008
Abortion. It's
a word that grips us when we hear it-sometimes with anger, sometimes with fear,
and oftentimes with pain. Most people avoid the subject. Many advocate a
position on the streets, in the courtrooms, or in the halls of Congress, while
some pray for its end. But what about the tens of millions of Americans who've
been personally touched by abortion? How can they find a safe place away from
the polarized debate where they can make sense of their abortion experiences and
connect with resources that are relevant to them?
Abortion Changes You™ is a new national
outreach that launches in March 2008. The outreach communicates to those who've
been touched by abortion-men, women, grandparents, siblings, other family
members, and friends-that they are not alone. This desperately needed
environment will invite people to enter a safe place either online or through
the book Changed: Making Sense of Your Own or A Loved One's Abortion Experience.
Through the Web site and book, people can explore others' stories, participate
in interactive content, seek healing, and access local support resources.
"As a teenager I underwent an abortion believing it
was the only practical solution to my unintended pregnancy. Yet I was completely
unprepared for the emotional fallout. For years I suffered in silence," says Michaelene Fredenburg, the creator of the Abortion Changes You outreach. "After
ultimately finding peace, I ended my silence in the hope that I could contribute
to creating a safe place for people to dialogue about abortion. Abortion Changes
You™ grew out of not only my own experience, but also the many heart
wrenching stories that have been shared with me."
Through the Abortion Changes You outreach, men and
women who were previously unable or reluctant to seek assistance are given a
safe place to explore their feelings and seek resolution. The outreach objective
is three-fold: Communicate to those who've been touched by abortion that they
are not alone, create a place of safety for participants to begin exploring
their feelings, and increase awareness of abortion's impact on various family
members.
The outreach was initiated in 2007 with the
production of 15 voices that powerfully portray how abortion changes women and
their partners, grandparents and siblings, as well as the other family members
and friends of those involved. These voices, which will be used on billboards,
public-transit advertising spaces, print ads, and education flyers, will direct
viewers to the Abortion Changes You™ Web site (www.abortionchangesyou.com).
Fredenburg, author of Changed-the
soon-to-be-released book featuring the real experiences of real people-hopes
that in addition to reaching those touched by a past abortion, the outreach will
equip others with new language so they'll be better able to sensitively and
compassionately communicate with others about abortion.
"Although each person's experience with abortion is
unique, a common thread moves through them all-abortion changes you. It is our
hope that the space we've created online and in the book will give voice to
thoughts deeply buried and allow hurting individuals to connect with healing
resources."
To schedule an interview with Michaelene, contact
Ashley Walker (678) 990-9032 or
Christine Schicker (404) 610-8871 of The Maximus
Group.
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