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PAGE 8 — The Georgia Bulletin, July 23, 1987 New Delay Of Abortion Law (Continued from page 1) abortion, to be able to give the minor’s health history and personal traits. Allowing the parent to take part in the deci sion making, he said, lets the child know the parent is there to help. It is important for the parent to be close by and available to the minor, he continued, if special care is needed should complications of the surgical procedure arise. If the parents did not know of the pregnancy they would be in no position to help their child avoid repeating the pregnancy or deal with the feelings of loss and self-doubt, he said. He said he has treated women in their 20s and 30s who have undergone abortions since 1973, and who are now ex periencing post-traumatic stress disorder. The trauma, often delayed, can include numbing of feelings, depression, guilt, grief. The grief can be in response to seeing the newborn baby of a family member, he said, and if the woman later has a child of her own, a strong sense of grief can be activated over the one she lost to abortion. “Women I have seen,” Dr. Edmondson said, “have onset of the problem some years later, from seeing a new baby or from failure to conceive a child. They are often overwhelm ed by the crisis of trying to deal with it openly.” The grief over abortion, he said, is intensified because there is no body to mourn or no funeral to assist the individual with her sense of loss. This can be a “traumatic, emotional event for women reared to have a self-image as mothers." Parental notification can avert the post-abortion syn drome, he said, because the teen does not have to handle the experience alone. By sharing feelings and grief with a sup porting person, the grief need not be delayed. While being cross-examined by Roger Evans for Planned Parenthood, the doctor said he has “occasionally con tributed a few dollars to Georgia Right to Life” but is not a member of the organization. In response to another question from Evans, he said that he would have a problem determining whether parents should not be involved without an investigation of the situa tion. “To take the teenager’s word that the parent is troublesome is not enough.” His experience in dealing with teenagers, he said, is that they often do not deal factually with what’s happening. He reiterated his earlier statement that the parent is in no position to help if not told of the minor’s choice of abortion. When most parents are told, he said, their first reaction is negative. But through the experience of trying to deal with the issue they carry out their parental responsibility. The hearing concluded Friday morning, July 17, with Dr. David Grimes testifying for Planned Parenthood. A physi cian specializing in obstetrics and gynecology who said he had a “special interest in abortion,” Dr. Grimes was associated with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta for seven years through late June of 1986. He is now a pro fessor on the faculty of the Southern California School of Medicine. At the CDC he was associated with the abortion surveillance branch which he described as studying the numbers of women having abortions and served as branch chief in 1983-84. During his years at the CDC, he said in Bost Quality Home Repairs yj Located in Chritt The King Parish Ek Pnn.Un.JL Painting. Room Additions. ‘1 wf JJh<r„iu>„A Basement Finish Out. Kitchens. Aifredo Avino. Pro 25 years experience Clerical Garment* Alterea 8. Repaired Alto Choir Robe*, Confirmation RoD^s. :First Communion Dresses & Suits 455-0863 anytime 233-6643 Tux*do Festival Shopping C*nt*r references 3455 Roswell Rd. Suit* 202 FIRST TO HAVE GUINNESS, HARP, AND BASS ALE ON TAP!!! 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Under questioning by Dara Klassel for Planned Parent hood, he said the risk of complications from abortion in creases for each week the pregnant woman delays. One reason, he said, is because of the “larger bulk of the product of conception.” During cross-examination by Patricia Downing, an assis tant attorney general for the state of Georgia, he said the risk of complications is less for teenagers and there is a very low risk of severe complications from abortion for teenagers. He acknowledged that he was a member of the Associa tion of Planned Parenthood Professionals, on the board of directors of the National Abortion Federation, and has served as a consultant for the national medical committee of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. He said that he had flown into Atlanta from New York City to testify and was flying back to California later that morning. In response to the question as to whether Planned Parenthood was paying for his flight, he said he presumed it would be. In addition to Dr. Grimes, Planned Parenthood called four witnesses. In presenting its case, it contended that the judicial review process provided in the parental notifica tion law would delay and add to the risk and expense of an abortion, and does not preserve the anonymity of the par ties involved. A court waiver could be sought if the minor chooses not to notify a parent or legal guardian. The parental notification bill was passed by the Georgia State Assembly in its 1987 session. A similar bill passed both houses of the legislature in 1986 but the session expired before the versions from each chamber could be revised and approved by the judiciary committees. The U.S. Catholic Conference has filed a friend-of-the- court brief in the Illinois case under Supreme Court review. The brief argues that “whatever the scope of a minor’s ‘right’ to seek an abortion, family integrity is a substantial interest worthy of judicial deference." The Illinois act pro vides for a 24-hour mandatory waiting period for a depen dent, immature minor seeking an abortion after notice of her intention is given to her parents. The USCC brief argues that “a state may permissibly ad vance protection of the family through a parental notifica tion statue that allows for a brief period for discussion be tween parents and their minor, unemancipated daughter prior to execution of her decision to abort her unborn child.” One section of the brief discusses the family as an institu tion whose values are being challenged in a fundamental way by abortion: “Under the abortion decisions of this court, one member of the household may dictate to all the others whether new life — plainly a member of the family may be allowed to be born...When the person making that decision is an adoles cent, the implications are especially serious. The adoles cent making such a decision needs to be guided by knowledgeable and caring persons, not abortion clinic employees, if she is to appreciate meaningfully the import and consequences of her actions.” Mich. Bishops Oppose School-Based Clinics BY CATHERINE HAVEN LANSING, Mich. (NC) — Michigan’s Catholic bish ops, expressing fears about teen-agers’ access to con traception, have publicly opposed establishment of school-based health clinics. In a statement released through the Michigan Cath- Old Sarge Army-Navy & Civilian Surplus • Canvas • Boxes • Rain Wear • Boots • Military Collectors Items • Camping Equipment '67 Surplus Your Best Buy ” $316 Buford Hwy., Doraville Old Sarge Army-Navy Surplus olic Conference, their state agency, the bishops said such clinics in other states often provide contracep tives and make abortion referrals. Under Michigan law, the clinics are prohibited from dispensing contraceptives or performing abortions. “Few would object to an effective, responsible, value-centered health care delivery system which would make quality health care delivery available to all students,” the bishops said. The Butterfly Religious Gifts For Every occasion 471-0704 8558 Tara Blvd. Jonesboro Senior Citizens LOW COST LIFE INSURANCE PREFERRED RISK MONTHLY RATES Your Age '100,000 250,000 500,000 60 ‘50 ’122 '233 65 82 201 387 7*1 144 356 679 75 253 628 1151 80 639 1594 3156 85 1200 3000 6000 e Policy immediately in full force. No “waiting period." e We also specialize insuring individuals with history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes & other disorders. Call or Writ* LYNWOOD GRADY & ASSOCIATES I 5405 Memorial Dr. #B-6, Ston* Mountain, Ga. 30083 296-0938 I 24 hrs 7 Pays) | “However,” they added, “the experience in other states has been that school- based clinics routinely dispense contraceptives to students and refer pregnant students to abortion clinics as a value-neutral option.” Five health centers for teen-agers currently oper ate in Michigan. The Michigan Public Health Department is expected to receive $1 million in state funds to provide for up to 10 grants for other com munities interested in establishing clinics. The clinics have been heralded by many health of ficials as providing much- needed medical services to teen-agers in a comfortable school atmosphere. Clinics offer physical exams, im munizations, gynecological The Piano Tuning Company! featuring 'Total Piano Carol" Tuning — Repairs Rebuilding Refinishing ‘Over 30 yrs. exp.* P.C. Boyd, 458-3858 ‘5.00 Off With This Ad and breast examinations, nutrition education and substance-abuse preven tion. But opponents, while acknowledging the need for adequate adolescent health care, say the clinics usurp parental rights and refer students to abortion clinics as a means of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. A Michigan Catholic Con ference spokesman said that research has found that schools with health clinics have reported higher rates of pregnancy but a decline in live births. Some 50 to 60 adolescent clinics are operating across the country. Church leaders often have opposed the centers. Papal Mass Charming New Orleans: September 11-14, 1987 Tickets to Papal Mass, round trip from Atlan ta on Amtrak, 3 nts French Quarter hotel & transfers from $281 per person. Sept. 11-14. 1987 Rich’s Travel Agency 586-2214, 231-2604
