Heather is an incredible woman. What she's experienced in her lifetime, most can only watch in movies to get an idea of what she's been through. She fits into so many categories of my project (and beyond), I didn't know how to label her, know a name to give her write up for a title. She was in the foster care system growing up. She was an athiest, who was pro-"choice" (as she describes it). She was raped and held hostage for three days. She became pregnant, and was beaten unconscious while pregnant. She had major complications for three of her four pregnancies, which biologically speaking (as she was told) was impossible to begin with.
And yet through it all Heather didn't allow her experiences to determine her worth. She now is a pro-life advocate, speaks out for the unborn, speaks against sexual violence, against human trafficking, and promotes family values. Her story of how this came to be will be coming out in a book in the future (so be on the lookout). When I met Heather, she was wrapping up filming a documentary, and was taking care of dinner with her children. Heather is a beautiful, vibrant, well-mannered, and determined young woman. She brought her family to the session. As she began to tell me her story, I couldn't help but take my eye away from the camera in awe of how much this woman has suffered. Three of her four pregnancies involved doctors telling her to abort her baby. The first reason to abort was as a consequence of rape. Not only did she have to deal with that, but she also suffered from hyperemesis graviderum (vomiting excessively throughout the pregnancy). Her second pregnancy, again had a doctor tell her to abort, because she went septic throughout her pregnancy. After blaming the baby for the cause, they later found out that it was gallstones (over 37 stones). Her third pregnancy found her baby boy with ruptured intestines, and septic. She was told a third time to abort. She was even told to abort by the Mayo clinic. Miraculously, her baby boy's body formed a calcified cover over the intestines and kept him alive until he was born. After an immediate surgery, he survived. You can read more details about her story here. I must say her journey is an incredible one filled with drama that most people wouldn't have survived. Talking with her inspired me to be less selfish with my attitude. It helps me see pain as part of life that is sometimes necessary to strengthen us for future adversity or to help with someone else's. And her willingness to sacrifice her own life for the sake of her children paints a crystal clear image of what God has done for us.
I wish I could've spent more time with her, it was truly incredible. I hope Heather's story and images help paint the picture of hope, of true strength, and most importantly, LOVE. Her life denounces all the arguments for justifying abortion. Her health was at risk, she chose life. She was raped and pregnant, she chose life. She suffered throughout each pregnancy, she chose life. Abortion is never a justified CHOICE. If she would've chose to abort her baby during her first pregnancy, she wouldn't have a beautiful, intelligent, witty, and out-of-this-world daughter. Who, by the way, was my trusty assistant for the portrait session. And for those who disagree about Heather's choice to carry her baby to term, it was her daughter that led her to faith in Jesus. So don't tell me she doesn't belong here. God knew exactly what she needed in her life, even if it didn't come about in a conventional manner. "Playing God" was not an option Heather felt comfortable with. If Heather chose to abort any of her children, she wouldn't have the beautiful, wildly energetic, loving family she currently has.
Abortion may be an option here in America, but it's never the answer. Heather Hobbs is proof that true empowerment for women comes from “choosing life” not “taking it”. For more about Heather: Anti-Abortion Speaker, advocate for life, warrior against human trafficking, rape survivor, domestic violence activist, wife to an amazing husband, and mother of four children based in Texas, you can visit her site here.
Here are some answers to questions I asked her.
Describe your involvement with choice and abortion. How has it affected you?
Abortion was urged with three of my four pregnancies. My eldest was conceived in rape, my second was deemed a threat to my life (which was a lie), and my third was given a fatal diagnosis. All of them are here, strong, and brilliant little people
Where did you find strength to get through the rough parts of your journey?
I found strength in Jesus as a young woman up until now but as a child and teenager I honestly can't explain what it was that kept me going. I contemplated ending my life many times as I battled thoughts of despair and lacking any kind of self worth.
If you could go back and change one thing about your life, what might that be?
I would truly not change a thing. Every experience whether perceived as bad or good has been a blessing in some way. If we choose to learn from every moment then we will never need to feel regrets.
What would you say is the biggest misconception people have about abortion?
The biggest misconception is abortion is a choice. Nothing could be further from the truth. Choice would imply a woman feels strong and empowered. The most common reality of abortion that it is based on fear. When you are preying on someone's vulnerabilities in any other way, it would not be promoted as "prochoice." Because there are greedy evil people who only care about making money they have expertly manipulated society into thinking women are oppressed if they can't kill their children. This is a human rights violation not a Women's rights violation.
Would your advice be any different for someone thinking about having an abortion vs. someone that's already experienced one?
I think it would be pretty much the same, you can never undo that "choice"
Describe how it felt to be told by so many people, specifically doctors, that ending your child's life in the womb was the only solution?
I felt like I had no one in my corner. That I was being told I'm broken as are my children and neither of us were worthy of living in this world.
If there is one truth about abortion that you could speak into the lives of all people, what would that truth be?
Abortion is not about CHOICE
Tell me how making the decision to not abort, willing to sacrifice your own life, in order to give your children a chance at life, has paid off. Any regrets?
I was and will always be willing to die for my children but the greatest lie out there is that abortion is necessary to protect a mother. It's been disproven countless times by pro-life ob/gyns. Delivery is always an option. Abortion is far more dangerous to a woman. Yet, Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion places act like they're saving lives when they're the greatest murderers ever known to man.
**Due to a technical malfunction, please be forgiving with the audio portion (it’s terrible) of this video, Heather’s words are so, so important. It’s worth the listen.