Sally Field, the renowned Oscar winner, recently shared a deeply personal and emotional story about her own experience with abortion. In a video posted on Instagram, Sally revealed that she had undergone an “illegal” abortion when she was just 17 years old, shortly after graduating from high school.
In the video, Sally spoke candidly about the traumatic experience, explaining that she did not have the support of her family or the financial means to carry the pregnancy to term. As a result, a family doctor arranged for her to travel to Mexico to undergo the procedure.
Sally recalled the harrowing journey across the border with the doctor, his wife, and her mother, describing the scene as they parked on a “scroungy-looking street” in Tijuana. She was handed an envelope filled with cash and instructed to return to her family doctor after the procedure was complete.
The actress went on to detail the horrific experience of the abortion itself, revealing that she was given no anesthetic during the procedure. She described the experience as “hideous and life-altering,” recounting how she was only given a few puffs of ether that left her with numb arms and legs. Sally bravely shared that she experienced pain and even faced a moment of molestation by the technician during the procedure.
Despite the ordeal, Sally emphasized the importance of her story in the current political climate, expressing her hope that voters will choose to support candidates like Kamala Harris who advocate for abortion rights and access. She concluded the video with a powerful message, stating that “we can’t go back” when it comes to reproductive rights.
Sally’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by women seeking abortion care, and the importance of protecting and expanding access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare. Her courage in sharing her experience will undoubtedly resonate with voters as they consider the future of reproductive rights in the upcoming election.
