Gonzaga Witness

Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Features

Editor's note: Features Editor Colleen Dawson sat down for an interview with Crista McCullough, a young woman who became pregnant and decided to keep her child. Although she is pro-choice, a position the Witness strongly disagrees with, Crista says she would never have an abortion and gives compelling arguments in favor of choosing life. -KM


Witness: Crista, how old are you, and how old were you when you became pregnant?

Crista: I am 23 and I was 19 at the time.

Witness: And you were single at the time?

Crista: Yes, I wasn't married, but I got pregnant with my boyfriend of the time. We were, however, in an exclusive relationship.

Witness: What made you decide to keep the baby?

Crista: Abortion has never been an option for me. I feel that it truly is killing a person. Although I am pro-choice, I could never do that. My son did not ask to be conceived, and he did not ask to die.

Witness: What gave you such a strong pro-life perspective?

Crista: Well, it was a little bit of everything, I guess. I grew up with a dad who had this core philosophy to treat every other creature as if it was yourself. He taught me respect for all living things. All living things are beautiful things that everyone has a right to enjoy. My mom also gave me a lot of perspective. I also believe in God, so religion somewhat works into the matter as well.

Witness: What are your plans so far as school, a career and your future? How has your child figured into them?

Crista: My son is why I am where I am. Who knows what choices I would have made without him? But I did have him and my life is built around his. It determines, decides everything. Having a child demands your life be structured. You have to be responsible. It's all about him. I've been with another man for two years. My son Dominic calls him Dad. He'll be finishing his masters in six months. I got my AA last year in radiology. But I still have time to be Mom. I have to still have time to be Mom. My life revolves around being Mom. Of course you make sacrifices, but my son looks at me and smiles and suddenly all my sacrifices are worth it. When he comes in while I'm doing laundry and says, "I came to see you because I love you," it makes anything I've given up worth it. He's totally innocent. He just enjoys being there, being with you. That's the way children are. They expect nothing except love, and they love you so unconditionally. They're so innocent.

Continued...

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