Being raped would be one of the most horrible things that could happen to anybody. I would not wish it on my worst enemy.

However, I must state with clearest conviction that abortion does not solve any woman's feeling of trauma, despair or fear. Rather, abortion compounds those problems with deeper feelings of being pressured by misguided family and friends, being financially exploited by the abortion clinic, being physically assaulted by the abortionist's instruments, with additional medical complications to follow. All these negative consequences may occur and all the while you still know that you have done harm to another completely innocent bystander -- the child within.

Many people wonder what pro-lifers do for women in crisis pregnancies. Many pro-life groups exist primarily to help women in crisis. A woman does not need or even really want to get an abortion. What she needs is emotional support, financial stability, medical attention and a home to live in for as long as she needs support. If you are in a crisis pregnancy or have recently had an abortion and don't know where to turn, call the local Crisis Pregnancy Center or Birthright. They're there to help any woman in need of support. They care about both women and children.

While I know that no rape victim is responsible for being physically violated against her will, how much more innocent is the life growing within her? No, he or she simply becomes the second innocent victim of rape. How many of us today know for a fact that we were joyfully welcome from the first moment of our conception? I believe a silent, unknowing majority of us were conceived in less than ideal circumstances.

I was adopted shortly after birth. The only thing that I know about my biological mother is that she was experiencing a crisis pregnancy. That could have been anything: a teen pregnancy, single motherhood, financial distress, and possibly even rape. Yes, I may have been conceived during a rape.

Today, 20 years later, while I feel no need to find my biological mother, I owe her a great deal -- I owe her my life. If I ever do meet her, all I can ever say to her is,"Thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live." My biological mother gave me such an awesome gift; the gift of life and for that I am eternally grateful. Without her I would not be here today, and you would not have had the opportunity to read this letter.