Albany, Oregon, U.S.A. – Pregnancy, is a life-changing event that is common for many in society, takes on a fundamentally different meaning for disabled individuals.
The disabled face certain challenges which means that they need to carefully consider every potential risk, factor, and complication.
Disabled pregnancy complications tend to have a higher probability of affecting the embryo, too.
There are many significant challenges and dangers to being pregnant while disabled.
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year and eliminated the right to abortion nationwide, it further marginalized and oppressed the disabled community.
It hindered disabled individuals’ reproductive rights and their ability to make decisions on their own bodily autonomy.
It not only limited the reproductive choices of able-bodied people, but also severely restricted the choices that are available to disabled people.
Furthermore, disabled minors’ reproductive options were already scarce and they deal with a lot already.
The Court’s decision only compounded the difficulties that they face.
The reproductive options that are available to disabled minors is extremely constrained and leaves disabled minors with only a mere handful of options.
When Roe v. Wade was reversed, it intensified struggles faced by people in the disability community.
The need for a truly accepting, accessible, and inclusive society is long overdue.
McKenzie Andersen is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
