Still the Tallest Man in the World

I was skimming through some of the comments on my article this afternoon, growing pleasantly surprised as I realised more people were starting to write comments of support. I suspect this is due to two things:

a) On a topic such as this, people start to feel more comfortable about posting positive comments when they see others brave the storm before them.

b) Fundamentalists who enjoy posting vicious character attacks in online forums usually grow bored with their prey quickly, and search for other people to spew hateful and judgemental crap at.

A little towards the end of the posts, I came across this rather long comment. I was almost finished before I realised who had written it. It is, quite possibly, the most awesome thing I've ever seen.

"I think Clementine that there are some personal things that are best kept personal, and there are some social issues that have been kept personal for too long! Abortion has been a "shameful" topic for generations because it was not a socially acceptable situation. Period pain, tampons, pads - all socially unacceptable topics in polite conversation. Unfortunately for all the Miss and Mr Genteels, these, like abortion, are facts of life and should be and can be openly discussed. There is, fortunately, in Australia, no reason why these subjects should and can not be aired, as opposed to many less fortunate countries where the opportunity to even discuss much less participate in these choices is not only not encouraged but illegal. The choice to have a baby is sadly not always up to the individual woman. Circumstances, physical disabilities or external forces may prevent a woman from making the choice to have a baby (when men do more than just plant the seed then they too may have a real say in the choice), however the choice to not have a baby is a woman's right. For too long that right has been directed and influenced by social mores. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with anyone but the woman carrying the fertilised egg, as to whether she chooses to carry to full term or abort. Certainly she will be influenced by her relationship with the father, or by other desires to carry on with the pregnancy, but the only person who can really make that decision is the woman, and only under exceptional circumstances should she abrogate the responsilility of making that choice.. It is only by opening the door on discussions of previously taboo topics that we start to see things in a new light and evolve. It is by having someone with the personal experience and the conviction to push open these doors that we move foward. Clementine, I believe there are some personal things that are best kept personal - your pin number and bank account details for instance - but as your father I could not be more proud of you for helping to open the doors on a subject that has too long borne the stigma of darning needles, wire coathangers and back street alleys. To some of your critics, I recommend and old adage " You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you speak!!"

Posted by: Steven Ford of 12:07am today"

As my friend Peter said to me afterwards, "There is something even more noble about writing it on the article rather than telling you. You know what I mean? Like "Captain, my captain". There are times when the public declaration of love and support are almost more important than the love and support themselves."

I wrote an email to my father afterwards and thanked him from the bottom of my heart. I almost cried when I read his words. They reminded me that the only people whose good opinion I need worry about are those of the people I love and who love me. He reaffirmed my conviction that it was right for me to bring this topic to a mainstream paper, and to write it in the way that I did - because regardless of what ignorant, hateful people choose to say to me, I have in some small way helped to make it easier for women who've had abortions or are seeking them to remember that the only people they have to answer to are themselves. More importantly, he reminded everyone what the truly ugly face of abortion is; and it's the many women who have died because the reality of bringing a baby into the world was more intensely frightening for them than anything that could be inflicted by a coathanger or a knitting needle.

Dad, I couldn't be prouder that you're my father and I certainly couldn't be luckier. Thank you.

Peace out.