Wendy Davis' new memoir describes her decision to have an abortion


Texas state Senator Wendy Davis' (D) new memoir, Forgetting to Be Afraid, describes the decision she and her then-husband made 17 years ago to end a pregnancy.
Davis writes about the baby, who the couple had named Tate Elise, as having been diagnosed with an acute brain abnormality. Davis and her husband Jeff visited several doctors, all of whom told them the baby would suffer and that the syndrome made the chance of life unlikely, the San Antonio Express-News reports. So, Davis' doctor "quieted" the baby, Davis writes, and then delivered her by cesarean section.
"An indescribable blackness followed," she writes. "It was a deep, dark despair and grief, a heavy wave that crushed me, that made me wonder if I would ever surface…And when I finally did come through it, I emerged a different person. Changed. Forever changed."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Davis is trailing in polls in her bid for Texas governor against Republican Greg Abbott. Abortion rights have been a major issue in the race so far. Abbott opposes abortion even when it relates to pregnancies resulting from rape and incest, while Davis launched her campaign following a filibuster against tighter abortion restrictions in the state.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Zack Polanski: the 'eco-populist' running for Green Party leader
In The Spotlight 'Insurgent' party deputy is making a bid to take the Greens further to the left
-
Do smartphone bans in schools work?
The Explainer Trials in UK, New Zealand, France and the US found prohibition may be only part of the solution
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read