Anti-abortion or pro-choice, it doesn't really matter which side of that battle that you stand on. I, myself, am on the anti-abortion side so when people ask me why I would decide to write this article, it was somewhat of a tough question to answer. The main reason I decided to write this article is because in part, I know what Jane Doe suffered through. I know first hand, how horrible, mean and terrifying that town can be. I grew up there, I used to know most of the people mentioned in this article, in fact, dated one or two of them. I thank God everyday that I was able to move out of that town or it may have killed me. I moved away when I was 17 years old with my mom to another state. I too was pregnant as a teenager, though I was 16 when I got pregnant and turned 17 ten days after my daughter was born. I had never even considered abortion so I did not go through the torment that Jane and her family did.

But my heart went out to Jane who did not make the decision to have an abortion lightly. It took her alot of soul searching and in the end probably would have been the right thing for her do. She thought about everything, school, college, a career, and then later on ... a family. She knew at the time that she just was not ready to be a mother. But that town, Blair, Nebraska, made certain that she would have that child and support that child regardless of what her choice was. They took away her rights as a child, as a woman and as an American citizen.

I don't know what happened to Jane or where she is today. Her daughter would now be 8 years old and more than likely the apple of her mama's eye. When she grows older and learns what happened to her mom, she won't resent her or hate her for it. More than likely she will be like her mom and be glad that she stood up for what she believed in, she will be proud that her mom was strong and didn't let people push her around or walk on her. She will love her mom with all her heart and I hope will see the Tulls for what they really are, selfish, self-centered, ignorant people who wanted a child that they either could not, or would not help support.

I do know this though, I know that wherever Jane is, she over came the obstacles placed before her. She rose above the standards that Blair had set for her. She is a strong, giving, loving mother who has nothing to be ashamed of. Most of all, I am proud that Jane made it out of Blair, as did I. Good luck Jane and baby Jane, you are both always in my thoughts and prayers.

Jill Maloy