The year is 2023 and it's staggering to realize that we're still grappling with issues that our parents' generation thought they had resolved: the undeniable right to govern our own bodies. An incident from my adolescent years when I accompanied my mother during her most vulnerable moment continues to serve as a stark reminder of why this fight is so crucial.

For over half a century my mother a compassionate nurse poured her energy into caring for others. Yet when life took a surprising twist and she found herself in need Planned Parenthood stepped in as our guiding light.

At the age of 14 a life-changing revelation hit me: my mother was unexpectedly pregnant. This news didn’t come in isolation but amidst a series of medical diagnoses. She was in the throes of recovering from a ghastly car accident an incident that left a permanent mark on my arm. On our way back from a serene visit to a Hindu temple in Malibu our lives changed in an instant when our car plummeted 40 feet. The rescue intense and drawn out lasted for what felt like an eternity.

The repercussions of the accident were dire. While all of us sustained injuries my mother's condition was especially dire. She battled numerous fractures and her heart was stretched to its limits. The path to recovery was long-winded overshadowed by a mountain of medical bills.

It was amidst this chaos that the news of her pregnancy arrived.

Their hushed late-night discussions gave me a glimpse into their dilemma: given the trauma her body had sustained medical professionals warned that carrying the pregnancy could be perilous. Confronted with this daunting reality my mother chose to undergo an abortion a decision heavy with emotion. She wished for me to be beside her at Planned Parenthood a silent pillar of strength.

Our journey however was far from smooth. We were greeted by a cacophony of anti-abortion protestors. Their intrusive jeers and unsolicited opinions intensified our pain. Their words still echo in my ears: “If you really loved your daughter you wouldn’t take her in there!” Overcome by emotions I impulsively snapped back “It’s not me. It’s her!”

As years have gone by that memory has often been a source of anguish. I was a naive teenager then ill-equipped to recognize the societal pressures that influenced my outburst. I often wish I could turn back time to console my mother and articulate my gratitude for her profound sacrifices.

That tumultuous day became the catalyst for my enduring activism.

The push to restrict abortion rights is a stark refusal to recognize the complexities of life: the heart-wrenching decision between a mother's well-being and a high-risk pregnancy or the choice between securing the future and addressing immediate needs. Life frequently presents us with such dilemmas urging us to make challenging decisions. It is during these times that organizations like Planned Parenthood offer a sanctuary of non-judgmental support.

It's alarming to note that as of now 18 states have imposed rigid boundaries on abortion rights. And the threat isn't limited to abortion. A slew of proposed legislations seeks to undermine LGBTQ+ rights jeopardizing the inclusive fabric we've woven over the years.

Despite facing relentless adversity Planned Parenthood remains a pillar in the community. Their myriad services spanning far beyond abortion cater to diverse healthcare needs including vasectomies. Interestingly if men were to face the same uproar for vasectomies as women do for abortions perhaps public sentiment would shift!

This ongoing movement is not just a fight for reproductive rights but represents a larger battle for bodily autonomy. It goes beyond abortion and delves deep into the realms of power dynamics.

There's a glaring pattern where a group armed with staunch beliefs seeks to dominate another even if it culminates in unnecessary suffering or loss of life.

It's evident that we can't place our hopes solely on political leaders or the judicial system. The responsibility rests on our shoulders as a collective to sculpt the path ahead. Drawing wisdom from luminaries like Gloria Steinem and Cecile Richards it's time to rally together protect our hard-won rights and ensure they're enshrined for the generations to come.

Our bodies our right to decide. Now and forever. It really is that uncomplicated.