Global Women's Voices: Share Personal Stories

Alicja, Poland

Submitted by: Wanda Nowicka

Alicja, 31-years old, 3 children (ages 8, 7, 1), has been a client of social welfare for years. She suffers from serious health problems with her eyes: eyesight (-24 diopters), damaged retina, haemorrhages in the retina. Her older children were born by caesarean section. She was unable to claim right to a legal abortion. Ophthalmologists refused to issue statements on the state of her eyes.

Only one doctor dared to issue the required document that pregnancy can be dangerous for her sight, even for her life. The gynaecologist from a public hospital to whom she was referred for abortion services neglected this opinion and destroyed the document, making it impossible to use it in another public hospital.

She could not afford an illegal abortion and had the baby. After the delivery her eyesight is in danger. She cannot work or perform any cats that require an effort; she cannot take proper care of her youngest child, and is dependent on others. The family’s income is irregulear and amounts to about 400 PLN ($100) per month.

Source:
Polish Federation for Women and Family Planning
www.federa.org.pl

updated: 7/2/2004