Teenage pregnancy is much higher in Louisiana, with teenage moms being nearly twice what the average is. You’d think that means that many teenage moms would be advocating for better education or opportunities so it wouldn’t happen in the first place. But there are moms that live in the area that advocate for the opposite. They believe that they were born to be mothers and don’t regret a thing: Here are their stories.
Grace McKendall-Thompson
Our first mother, Grace McKendall-Thompson, had this to say when she considered abortion – “In my soul, it didn’t feel right. I definitely don’t regret it now. It’s been hard being a teen parent, but I feel like I’m a little bit ahead of the curve.”
Grace is now 26 years old, but just nine years ago, she gave birth to her son, Hassan Jr. She recalls trying to finish college before anyone would notice the pregnancy and spark rumors, but now she’s very happy and doesn’t regret a thing.
Ashton Galbo
Ashton Galbo remembers exactly where she was when she found out that she was pregnant. She was taking a test at Southeastern Louisiana University’s student clinic, and when she found out the truth, she was at a crossroads. She never dreamed of becoming pregnant at 17, but she persevered.
With her family behind her, Ashton decided to keep her baby. When she was born, she named herself Harper-Layne, but things didn’t end there. On her way to getting married, she struggled with post-partum depression but managed to self-publish a book and take control of her life. Now expecting her second child, she had this to say:
“Let’s make contraception and sex ed more accessible to everyone. Girls need to be supported. They need to be told there’s help out there and not be made to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or alone. Knowledge is power: knowing what your options are, knowing your body, and where you can go for help will make all the difference in the world.”
Toni Williams
Toni Williams is the youngest mother here by far. When she found out that she was pregnant at 13, she thought that no one would support her. Luckily, her grandmother stepped in and helped her. But the road wasn’t over after giving birth again at 14; this time, she’d have to give her baby up for adoption. Toni fell pregnant a third time at 19, but that’s when things got better. With widespread support, she became a nurse aide and got her GED. She had this to say:
“I’ve been a mother my whole life. I had a happy life with my husband. I had one that was amazing. I’ve had a really good ending.”
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