Women

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TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE
More than just about abortion
Writer: Alisa Hill

January 22nd, 2007 marks the 34th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade which is an example of one person can make a decision for good or for ill, thinking it is only a personal decision as a result they leave a legacy of undesirable consequences. Texas Right to Life (TRTL), based out of Houston, has been involved in helping change the abortion laws that were passed 1973. This year on January 22nd, 2007 TRTL will be in Austin for a lobby day on changing the End of Life Law which jeopardizes life.

The TRTL started in 1969 and was incorporated in the early 70’s when Roe vs Wade was passed. The organization, with James Graham as Executive Director and Elizabeth Graham as Director, is committed to “restoring legal, moral protection to all innocent human life” by enlisting officials to sponsor bills both in Austin and Washington, D.C. TRTL is committed to impacting legislation that range from abortion, stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia, End of Life Law, Futile Care Law, and Will to Live.

The End of Life Law and Futile Care Law allows Texas Doctors or hospitals to make a decision to discontinue medical care that sustains life. Notification is given to those involved and 10 days are given to move the patient to a different facility. If a transfer is not done then the staff stops administering fluids and other life sustaining treatments, effectively ending the patient’s life. There is no objective criterion written in the statute to guide the decision being made by the doctors or hospitals.

Wrapped in the Texas Futile Care Law is a problematic dispute of the patient’s “Will to Live”. According to Elizabeth Graham “the standard form is insufficient if someone has signed a Living Will. The assumption is made the patient’s intent is extraordinary measures are not to be taken to sustain life.” Mrs. Graham explains “many Living Wills are signed when people are young and healthy not taking into account normal aging health problems. If a Living Will is on record then a doctor can use that as a determination that the patient does not have a will to live thus the Futile Care Law can be invoked to stop life sustaining measures.” Mrs. Graham states “instead individuals should instead sign a Pro-Life Will to Live form which give more extensive options.”

Elizabeth Graham is passionate about the rights of those whose voice might not be heard. She grew up in a home where her parents sponsored over 70 foster children through the years until they were adopted. Later her parents changed their focus to taking in unwed mothers. As a result of seeing all the unwed mothers in her home Mrs. Graham began to “study church teachings for the philosophical underpinnings of why abortion is wrong.” As a result she started volunteering in the pro-life movement, then part-time work in the pro-life arena, and then full time work focusing on the TRTL organization. Eventually she and her husband, James, were promoted to run TRTL.

Graham’s philosophy is “reaching out to young women, never in a volatile manner, and then walking with the women through the unwanted pregnancy so they can make a decision for life”. Abortion numbers are declining as increasing respect for the unborn is building across the country. Unfortunately there was a 3% increase in abortion statistics last year in the state of Texas; however, in 2005 Texas allocated funding to offer alternatives to abortion. The program is modeled after one in Pennsylvania where the abortion rate has decreased by 40%. The program was implemented in June 2006 so the success rate is too early to gauge.

TRTL is deeply involved on education and impacting legislation to directly reduce the moral decline in Texas with the intent to build up the Kingdom of God. It takes knowledge to bring about change.

David Reardon, Director of Elliot Institute, has been involved in numerous clinical studies concerning women who have had abortions. One study Reardon was involved with published an article in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 2002 titled “The Quality of Caregiving Environment and Child Developmental Outcomes Associated with Maternal History of Abortion Using the NLSY Data”. A moral dilemma is posed from the statement that “The children of women who have had abortions have less supportive home environments and more behavioral problems than the children of women without a history of abortion. This finding supports the view that abortion may negatively affect bonding with subsequent children, disturb mothering skills, and otherwise impact a woman’s psychological stability.”

Making a choice to support a group whose mission is to protect the unborn has a ripple effect in the futures of our country. TRTL not only causes ripples but also seismic shifts impacting lives. The organization believes in conscientious giving by being good stewards and by being consumers who avoid shopping at places that support Planned Parenthood. Life Decisions International tracks corporations that donate to Planned Parenthood, those results are found at www.fightpp.org.

The Grahams, in line with being good stewards, believe individuals should donate where they are lead. Texas Right to Life does accept donations. The TRTL website is www.TexasRightToLife.org. To join a chapter of TRTL email [email protected] or contact Melissa Castillo, Director of Chapters, at 713-782-LIFE. According to Ms. Castillo individuals or families who become members of a Texas Right to Life chapter “automatically become members of the State Organization receiving regular newsletters and updates on the Political Action Committee.” She said “chapter membership unites the pro-life community combining efforts in meetings and committees.” The annual fee to join a chapter for an individual or family is $25 or $15 for senior citizens.

One person, one choice, can make a difference one life at a time to leave a legacy of life for generations to come.

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