Right to life- for the unborn

I went to Hawassa recently to direct a documentary video production. Part of the shooting involved abortion clients in a hospital. We found a volunteer who was willing to be video-taped while she was having a counseling session with the nurse. The girl, who is in her early twenties, came to the hospital for an abortion accompanied by her mother. They both look nervous and at the same time there is so much strength about them. The girl tells the nurse that she is a university student who currently got raped in the university compound by two guys & she thinks she is pregnant. The nurse asked the girl when she last had her period, when she last had HIV test, what kind of contraceptives she used and so on. It is obvious why the girl visited the hospital, and specifically why she visited this nurse, it is to have abortion. 

In my personal definition abortion is the killing of babies, nothing more nothing less! So it was painful for me to hear the conversation between the girl and the nurse. At some point all I wanted was to reach out to the girl and hug her  that would be weird though. At the same time my heart was groaning for the baby inside her.

When I was in high school I remember a group who came to our school and taught about sexuality. Most of all I remember the video they showed us about abortion which has always stuck in my mind. The video shows the various ways of abortion. One of the things that always stuck in my mind is a garbage can in hospital with little hands, legs, heads of babies aborted. That set up my views about abortion once and for all. 

As I was standing and listening to the conversation between the girl and the nurse, my eyes fells on  this piece of paper on the wall which has a text from the constitution of Ethiopia on abortion; 

1.When the pregnancy results from rape or incest; 

2. When continuance of the pregnancy endangers the health or life of the woman 

or the fetus; 

3. In cases of fetal abnormalities; 

4. Women with physical or mental disabilities; 

5. For minors who are physically or psychologically unprepared to raise a child; 

6. In the case of grave and imminent danger that can be averted only through 

immediate pregnancy termination

Till recently this is Ethiopia's law on abortion. Any girl can have an abortion if she got pregnant due to the six reasons above. No proof is required beyond the woman’s statement that it has occurred. This means the girl I mentioned earlier might not even be rapped. I believe, this is the kind of law that doesn't forbid the thing but makes it seem as though it is forbidden, because Ethiopia is a religious and culturally strict country with people who will not accept legalization of things like abortion.

I remember the controversy, the various appeals made by different organizations some years back when the constitution legalized abortion, if for the aforementioned six reasons.

Later I talk to the nurse; there is no way she believes this girl is raped. She even made jocks that she has the physical strength to rape others let alone be raped. She then told me there are a minimum of 30 clients who come to her every month for abortions. Most of the clients are high school and university students. This is like one abortion, by one nurse every single day and just in one hospital in Hawassa. Imagine how many abortions are done daily throughout Ethiopian hospitals, and there are so much more abortions done by traditional midwives every day, that puts even the mother’s life at risk. 

After drafting this, I was talking with a friend and she told me the constitution of Ethiopia now totally legalized abortion, that they just keep it quite because of how people and certain organizations would react. I know one in seven women die from pregnancy-related causes in Ethiopia, and unsafe abortion causes more than half of the 20,000 maternal deaths that occur annually. I only wish we worked more on contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies, and on physiological and financial support on mothers who got pregnant due to rape, incest, also in cases of women with physical and mental disabilities, for minors who are physically or physiologically unprepared to raise a child.... after all it is a baby that is inside these mothers, a precious life, a great potential, not just a fetus!!

http://www.lwym.org/pure/2012/10/24/what-really-happens-
to-the-baby-during-an-abortion-this-will-shock-you/

"Words are things; and a small drop of ink,

Falling like dew upon a thought, produces

That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think."

- Lord Byron (1788-1824), from "Don Juan"

"Lord Byron never finished his masterpiece, the epic poem "Don Juan," but he might never have begun it had he been conceived today. For Byron was born with a slight deformity - a clubfoot - that nonetheless left intact ...." (Read more on Famous people who would have been aborted http://facta-non-verba.blogspot.com/search/label/beethoven)

Let me just leave you with few list of famous people who would have been aborted but survived and greatly contributed in changing the world.

Could you please do me a favor, whether you agree on what I am saying or not in this article, if you recognize any of the following names, please copy and paste their name under Comments, you can also do this on the shared link on facebook or twitter. Thanks!

Andy Berlin 

Anthony Williams 

Aristotle 

Art Linkletter 

Beethoven

Bo Diddley 

Buffy Sainte-Marie 

Carl-Theodor Dreyer 

Charlotte Anne Lopez 

Christina Crawford 

Clarissa Pinkola Estes 

Crazy Horse 

Dan O'Brien 

Daunte Culpepper 

Dave Thomas 

Da Vinci

Debbie Harry 

D.M.C. 

Edgar Allan Poe 

Edward Albee 

Eleanor Roosevelt 

Eric Dickerson 

Faith Daniels 

Faith Hill 

Freddie Bartholomew  

George Washington Carver 

Greg Louganis 

James MacArthur 

James Michener 

Jean Jacques Rousseau 

Jesse Jackson 

Jett Williams 

Jim Palmer 

John J. Audubon 

John Hancock 

John Lennon 

Langston Hughes 

Larry Ellison 

Lee Majors 

Leo Tolstoy 

Les Brown 

Lynnette Cole 

Malcolm X 

Mark Acre 

Matthew Laborteaux 

Melissa Gilbert 

Michael Reagan 

Moses 

Nancy Reagan 

Nat King Cole 

Nelson Mandela 

Patrick Labyorteaux 

Peter and Kitty Carruthers 

President Gerald Ford 

President William Clinton 

Priscilla Presley 

Ray Liotta 

Reno 

Sarah McLachlan 

Scott Hamilton 

Sen. Paull H. Shin 

Sen. Robert Byrd 

Steve Jobs 

Surya Bonaly 

Tim Green 

Tim McGraw 

Tom Monaghan 

Tommy Davidson 

Victoria Rowell 

Wilson Riles

Recommended reading:

http://www.lwym.org/pure/2012/10/24/what-really-happens-to-the-baby-during-an-abortion-this-will-shock-you/

http://www.catholic-convert.com/wp-content/uploads/Documents/AbortionDecide.pdf

http://www.bible.ca/s-Abortion.htm#hands

http://www.bible.ca/s-Abortion.htm

This is why I write :)

Being in Late 20's

Or shall I give it the title my friend gave it; 'Genaye's crazy moments':)

I don't know if it is a good thing or not but I am enjoying it; the thing that comes with being in your late 20's. Is it growing up, is it growing careless or is it growing old? For all the late 20s friends out there, I want to ask is it just me or it is same for everyone? 

I remember when I was in high school and first years of college, I used to feel all  eyes were on me. I dress for all the eyes, I walk for all the eyes, I take every move for all the eyes. 

Now it is the other way around, my eyes are on everyone. And I don't care anymore whether their eyes are back on me or not. I dress for myself, I walk for myself, I do anything for my comfort and joy. So is this growing up or growing old? And when I say my eyes are on everyone, that is, literally. I can look at anyone, yeah of course except those people with the weirdest stare. Now, I take pleasure in assuming who people actually are from their looks. It doesn't matter whether I got them right or wrong. I take pleasure in making stories in my mind. But one challenge I always face is I can't take my stories further, I don't think I have lived enough to make full stories of people. Or maybe it is just because I get bored easily. 

Well the other thing about being in your late 20's.....

I am no more bothered about being alone. Ok there is a different type of being alone, don't go there, I bet all the late 20's in some way or the other get a little bothered with that:) Instead, for instance I am now at the reception of an art exhibition opening at the Sheraton. I came almost 2 hours earlier before my friend, I attend the speech, strike up a conversation at some point with a famous photographer, then I went to see the art works by myself, then I got tired and I am now out by the lobby area sitting alone and of course typing. This doesn't bother me at all though everyone is here in couple or groups. They are so loud for that matter. 

'When the music is loud for you......." If u only know how that quote ends take the pleasure of laughing at me :)

Everyone is dressed in elegant cloths, I just got the ticket at the very last minute so I am in my jeans, and this doesn't bother me at all.

I actually enjoy moments like these, unplanned time alone, when I can reflect, look at myself, look at people and think of their stories. For instance, now I am surrounded by; 

Dreadlock people

Old people

Young people

White people

Black people

Grey people :)

Women with hijab

Women with too much make up, and really short skirts

People with really elegant cloth

Pregnant women with colorful dresses

Teenagers 

Well it seems like art is for everyone in here or food is :) will so many people show up if the food was not served?

Oh the cakes look heavenly! .....

When u are in your late 20's you don't wear that shoe:) sorry I was about to talk about cakes but the girl wearing that shoe ...!!!! I am ladder phobic, if there is such a thing, I can't climb on a ladder without my legs shivering...all symptoms of fear can be seen on me... And looking at that girl wearing those shoes brought back my phobic memories. You know what?  if I am not in my late 20's I might be the one walking on those shoes:)

My friend is here, well thanks for accompanying me :):)

Clinic vs Garage

I'm from a country that has a lot of alternatives to maintain vehicles. There are all sorts of suppliers, self made mechanics and garages who can successfully enable a baby Fiat for an on road driving. It's very common to see a 1970s car wondering in the streets of Addis. If  all goes bad, it will be towed to suburban area or  rural area. It's as if as long as they are away from the light, we can bear them.

Unfortunately we the people don't worth that much. Keeping a healthy lifestyle is not a luxury. It's a necessity for if you get sick-god forbid, you may not recover. A car has a better survival rate than the people because of the alternatives available. I haven't done the exact figure nor do I want to do so 'cause I'm busy counting the dead all for the wrong reasons.

Our self taught mechanics are so good that they can diagnose a car over the phone. The irony is our DOCTORs couldn't make a proper diagnosis even after telling them your symptoms in person. That is why the majority of the population still trust the traditional medical practices than the modem med schooled physicians.

  

Why would one gamble with life when there is a modem scientifically proven medicine,  you may ask. Well when it costs too much and for no apparent results, associated acquired illness from wrong diagnosis, vulnerability to overdose, pompous and often humiliating patient handling of the modem Doctors made the whole modem stuff in jeopardy.

It's sad to be known as the hospital with a very high price tag yet a very high contributor to Minilik Hospital autopsy department-the only facility for the entire country with 85 million people. Most big companies have a health insurance for their employees.  One  friend of mine was the few lucky ones to enjoy such a privilege. However, when he was sick and was admitted to one of the very best private hospital, we were not at ease. The hospital is well known for the worst-walk in alive, ...! Fortunately he made it out alive - yeah the situation is that dire - after few days of hospitalization.

Last year we heard the sudden death of the iconic music legend of the country only because of lack of ambulance and proper paramedics. This weekend a young legend in the making passed away in a hospital in Kenya all because DOCTORs in Addis couldn't diagnose him although he went for a check up weeks before the strock, there was no proper ambulance and paramedic after he collapsed and hence $25000 was paid for an medical team and ambulance airplane so that the treatment could begin at Bole airport. They did their best but could not save him.

How many more souls should we loose to wake up from our deep comas? How many last minute calls should we make for donation? Isn't it high time to use our expertise and hard earned cash for the betterment of the health care system? Isn't high time to think 'neg bene'?

By: Jemal M. Hussien

Glimpse of life #3

While I am waiting!

I live in a country where patience is most required but I don't have patience. Everyday I have to go out to be in line to get a taxi. I go to hospital to get medical treatment, I am told to wait. I know the doctor is in his office, I know there is no patient with him but I have to wait till my name is called out. When I go to get my hair done, they give me a card with number written on it that shows how many people are before me, I wait! When I get tired from all the waiting I just want to go home and lie down, but I got to wait for the taxi again. If it is working hour I have to be in line to get into a taxi, if it is not I get into the taxi and wait till it loads more people.

Actually I have learned to avoid all this waiting, I take any option that doesn't require waiting, but sometimes I can't avoid it. I am now in a hospital waiting to get medical treatment. Why why why am I here?  I am not even that sick :( Oops there was a patient in the doctors room, and he looks extremely sick. Now the doctor is going to be mad at me that I am not that sick. Honestly  I am feeling so much better, if it wasn't for the fact that I waited so long I would have just gotten the hell out of here, I hate hospitals! 

I got to have some fun, let me tell you about the guy sitting next to me. Since the time I sat here, he has been cleaning his blue Samsung phone with napkins. This is what attracted my attention to him. And guess what his name is written on a piece of paper and plastered at the back if his phone. In case somebody calls and asks who he is and if he forgets, he can refer to the back of his phone ;) kidding! I have no idea why he has his name written on the back of his phone. May be it is not his name, may be.....believe me I am in a general hospital, not mental or anything related :)

What he wears seems to be some sort of a uniform, if not.., he had blue pants with red line on each side, a really yellow t-shirt, a really red shirt with sparkly stripes on and a brown jacket and a yellow cap with blue heart design on the front. Oh by the way, he stopped cleaning his phone and he is now fighting with his eyes that wants to fall asleep. He must be tired from all the waiting. I seriously am tired off all the waiting too.

The young girl sitting in front of me seems interested on what I am typing on my phone. She just keeps stretching to see what I am typing :) Oh! is there a specific code to clothing for patients coming to this hospital..' You should wear all the colorful clothes you have!' I am just saying cause the girl is also wearing a pink sweater, really pink, and a yellow hat, yes yellow! OMG she is also wearing a blue skirt :) 

I came here with a friend so that she accompany me while I am waiting, but some guy said I am supposed to sit on another chair close to the doctors room and she had to wait for me else where. I would have not felt the whole waiting if she is with me, but now.... she is also made to wait for me... I wander what goes in her mind but I bet she is not at all interested in the people sitting next to her. I am really tired of all the waiting! 

Yeah!! my friend came to sit with me, after all who cares about that young guy's rules in a country where everyone could make rules :) well then I am off to chat with my friend!

Oh I got to tell you this, don't you agree that we live in a crazy world? There was some hustle in the hospital, finally I learned that a mother run out leaving her one month old baby. Then I asked the pharmacist lady what really happened. She said the mother run out because her husband's family gave her a really hard time. Somehow they found the mother and I also saw the husband's family at the compound. The pharmacist said 'they are here to beat her, can you imagine what they do to her at home!' She really sounded angry. Then she turned to the the other male pharmacist and keeps asking him all this questions; 'who can better take care of my baby, me or my husband's family? Who can really take care of your baby? Your wife or your family? She kept asking the same question in different forms. He kept answering the same answer, 'my family! Husband's family!' I really thought he was joking so I smiled, but he gave me the hardest  look! Wey Gud!!