[What if the consequence of abortion was blindness? This is a fictional series creating a decision-making dilemma for mothers considering abortion. Using the fictional side effect of abortion, cerebro-ocular disconnection (COD), blindness, to illustrate a serious consequence for the mother, to see how it effects their thoughts and aftermath.]
Alison gripped the steering wheel of her parked car, staring at the clinic’s nondescript facade. At 29, she was a rising star in Silicon Valley, leading a team developing AI for autonomous vehicles. The pregnancy test two weeks ago had sent her world spinning. Now, she faced an impossible choice: her vision or her unborn child.
The Dilemma of Choosing Abortion
Alison had always known she didn’t want children. Her career was her passion, her identity. A baby would mean putting her dreams on hold, maybe forever. She’d seen it happen to colleagues—brilliant minds sidelined by the demands of parenthood.
But blindness? The doctor’s words echoed in her mind: “100% chance of complete vision loss within 72 hours of the procedure.” Could she really trade her sight for her freedom?
Rationalization for Abortion
Alison’s analytical mind kicked into overdrive. She created a mental pro/con list:
Keeping the baby:
– Career derailment
– Loss of personal time and freedom
– Financial burden
– Unwanted lifestyle change
Choosing blindness:
– Maintain career trajectory (with adaptations)
– Preserve personal autonomy
– Avoid parental responsibilities
– Potential for groundbreaking work in accessibility tech
“I can adapt,” she told herself. “There are blind programmers. I could become an advocate for accessibility in tech. Maybe even revolutionize the field.”
With trembling fingers, she signed the consent form.
The Aftermath of Abortion
The darkness came swiftly, just as promised. Alison woke on the third day to a world of shadows and vague shapes. Her high-tech apartment, once a source of pride, became a labyrinth of unseen obstacles.
At work, her team rallied around her, but the challenges were immense. Reading code became an arduous task, relying on screen readers and braille displays. Meetings that once flew by now crawled as colleagues described visual data she couldn’t see.
The “freedom” she had fought for felt hollow. Spontaneous trips were replaced by carefully planned outings with a white cane. Dates became awkward affairs, potential partners often unable to see past her disability.
Unexpected Turns After Abortion
Six months in, Alison’s company assigned her to lead a new project: developing AI interfaces for visually impaired users. Her personal experience became her greatest asset. For the first time since losing her sight, she felt truly valuable again.
But late at night, in the quiet darkness of her apartment, Alison would sometimes place a hand on her flat stomach and wonder about the child she never knew. She imagined tiny fingers and a curious mind that might have inherited her love for puzzles and code.
The Irony
A year after her decision, Alison attended a tech conference as a keynote speaker. Her talk on inclusive design was a hit, earning a standing ovation she could hear but not see.
As she stepped off the stage, a young woman approached her. “Your work changed my life,” she said, guiding Alison’s hand to her pregnant belly. “I’m a coder too, and I was scared about becoming a mom. But seeing you succeed, knowing tech can be accessible… it gave me hope that I can have both my career and my baby.”
Alison’s throat tightened. In choosing to avoid motherhood to protect her career, she had inadvertently paved the way for other women to embrace both. The irony wasn’t lost on her—her sacrifice had made it easier for others to make a different choice.
As she returned to her hotel room, Alison reflected on the complex tapestry of consequences her decision had woven. She had gained respect, purpose, and a new direction in her field. But she had lost the simple joys of seeing a sunset, reading a book, or looking into a loved one’s eyes.
In the end, Alison realized that true freedom wasn’t about avoiding responsibility or maintaining convenience. It was about making choices and living with their full weight—both the unexpected burdens and the unforeseen gifts.