This story is published at Shout Your Abortion.

Raised by an alcoholic mother, I became an addict myself as a teenager, and by the time I was in my 20s, I was addicted to crack and heroin, and was essentially homeless, sleeping on friend’s couches and in vacant homes.

During this time I had three abortions, which was exactly the right thing to do. I was desperate and irresponsible, but I knew enough to know I didn’t want to bring addicted babies into my crazy world.

I was so out of it most the time, I couldn’t remember or be bothered to use birth control with my partner, how could I practice any prenatal care or be responsible for a child?

I eventually was arrested, which helped me get into rehab, which helped me get clean.

I am now clean and sober for over 20 years and have four amazing children and with that same partner who also got clean!

I’ve never once regretted those abortions, and feel lucky that because I was able to have safe and legal abortions, I was able to have children when the time was right.