Al0 - Friday, July 20, 1984 - North Shore News ROSS-FIRE “The silent majority is pro-choice.” By JOANNE MacDONALD WITH A _ pro-life group saying it will work to defeat candidates who sup- port the idea of abortion, the issue promises to play a part in the federal election. Joanne Norrish, a member of the North Shore Association for Choice on Abortion says legal abortion is a neces- sary alternative. George Carruthers, a North Shore resident who is currently challenging the abortion policy at Lions Gate Hospital, says abor- tions should not be permit- ted as an easy alternative for irresponsible lifestyles. Cool creeks | ‘*} don’t like the term abortion on demand, but women should have control over their own bodies and should be able to make their own decisions. I don’t think any group or gov- ernment should dictate what women should do ‘with their bodies. ‘Unless you have a 100 per cent safe and effective contraceptive, legal abor- tion is “a necessary alter- native. I don’t know of anybody who uses abortion “Abortion ‘‘Easy abortion leads on- ly to more abortions at the expense of the taxpayers and to the detriment of women. Women have suf- fered from abortions done in places where permitted. And it’s only after many years that they’ve felt traumatic effects. Some women may feel initial relief from unwanted Pregnancies, but many years later they agonize about these abortions which were done without Ik YOU find the beaches are getting too crowded, consid- er a walk through some of the North Shore's scenic wild areas such as those along Lyon Creck. You may even find your own private swimming pool if you're alert — and careful. ‘AMBLESIDE HOBBIES & CRAFTS | & Ln eh cf rery i ; eo ighipes ony ° yoesg viet 922.3512. * as a birth control method. Abortion is serious, just as any type of surgery is serious. “‘l first became involved with the abortion § issue when I was a teenager and Had some friends who became pregnant. I remember the pain and the fear they went through — if they’d had the babies their lives would have been over, but also it was a real crisis to have an abortion. ““As 1 got older and opposing views on the issues of the day became involved in the feminist movement, | began to realize that people should have a choice. And if people want to write me off as a raving feminist they’re mistaken. A Cana- dian Institute of Public Opinion Gallup poll done in 1978 showed that the majority of those inter- viewed were pro-choice. A federal study done in 1977 showed that only 11.4 per cent of women and 9.8 per cent of men would totally prohibit abortion. **} think the silent major- ity is pro-choice on the North Shore. **If we don’t have legal abortion available, then women will have to resort to back street butchers, or rich women will be the only ones able to afford it. And if women are forced to go to the States, the costs will be astronomical. That economic issue is very im- portant and has to be ad- dressed. on demand is an easy out.’’ f;formed consent and without the necessary sup- port from the men who should have been there for them. ‘*Abortion on demand is an easy out for irresponsi- ble males who have preg- nant women on their hands. Many men _ just don’t want to share the re- sponsibility of pregnancy. More men should own up to the fact that abortion is an easy alternative for an irresponsible lifestyle. *‘At Lions Gate Hospital we’ve seen abortion grow fromm about 10 a year in the 1960s to about 800 per year, now. And they’re all paid for by the taxpayers. ‘‘The majority of Cana- dians are against abortion on request and most doc- tors don’t want women to demand abortion. But many would condone a woman’s right to request one. ‘*With abortion, you're really talking about the ac- countability of one’s ac- tions. In 1974, there was a study done at Lions Gate Hospital in which three- quarters of those having abortions were over the age of 20, one-half were mar- ried and 69 per cent were using no family planning methods at all. ‘‘That indicates to me that abortion is being used as a birth control method — and it is not a legitimate birth control method. Most taxpayers are against abor- JOANNE NORRISH ‘‘As far as abdrtion be- ing an election issue, it is, and I’m sorry it is.’’ GEORGE CARRUTHERS tion, but especially when it is done at the expense of taxpayers’ facilities and as an alternative to irrespon- sible lifestyles.’’ Eiiwhat’s going on i this week Friday, July 20 — Baha’! Faith open discussion mecting, 8 p.m. Mon. Tues., July 23 & 24 — Blood Clinic, Lions Gate Hospital. Mon. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tues. 2-8 p.m. ‘‘O’’ type Tuesday, July 24 — CPR (Car- diopulmonary Resuscitation) program, HEARTSAVER - BABY Course to be held from i ; always needed, especially sum- 6:30-10 p.m. at the North Shore PO TaOg mation call Sandra ver months. Family YMCA, 1735 Inglewood . kek Avenue, West Van. Pre- Saturday, July 21 — Register Monday, July 23-August 2 — registration is necessary. Course West Van. Baptist Church, 450 Mathers Ave., W.Van. Vacation Bible School 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Grades 1-6. $5.00 per child, $10.00 per family. To register please call Church office 922-0911 focuses on infants to pre- schoolers, major causes of ac- cidents and their prevention, in- fant and child CPR, obstructed airway skills. Call 926-5541 for info., or for private bookings. wk ® Wednesday, July 25 — Coping with Cancer Group, topic for now for a fun and fascinating Nature Workshop. Outdoor ac- tivities in Lynn Canyon park will enable children to experience and explore nature with all their senses. Educational games will introduce children to some basic ecological principles. Register at the Karen Magnussen Arena, Fee Tuesday, July 24 and 31 — The $10. Ages 6-8, July 14, West Vancouver Memorial discussion: Chemotherapy, 10am-3pm, Ages 9-12, July 21, Library invites children from 6to Lions Gate Hospital, Seminar 10am-3pm 9 years of age, who have some Rooms | & 2 off the Terrace xn ht knowledge of French, to a Cafeteria, Sth St. entrance, Saturday, July 21 — Garage special summer program of 7:30-8:30 p.m. Open to anyone Sale to hetp Pets Ltd. 10 a.m. to stories and fun at 2:30 pm interested to share experiences, 2 p.m. Rain or shine, 571 Please call us at 926-3291, local problems, fears about cancer. Craigmohr Drive, West 15, to register for this program ae Vancouver. cnet Wednesday, July 25 — West Van Tuesday, July 24 — Evening = Senior Centre, guest speaker Dr Multiple Sclosis Support Group, Lions Gate Hospital, 7-9 pm, Committee Room 3. For info call Bonnie 985-0833. Robert de Wreede, (Professor Emeritus) will talk on Hawaii & Micronesia The Land and People. Sunday, July 22 — NV Rec Cen- tre gentle hike to Brandywine Meadows near Squamish. Mect at NV Rec Centre park lot at 6:45 am for car pools net Monday, July 23 — Se. Catherine's Church Vacation Bi- ble School begins, lasts until Fri- day, 1058 Ridgewood Drive, North Vancouver Theme is “The World God Made"’, children ages 4-11 are welcome Pre-registration is essential, call 985-0666 for more information. a Monday, July 23 — Stan of saitl- ing lessons. For children ages 10 and over. Hollyburn Sailing Club at Ambleside, mornings, aftcrnoonsa and evenings Ap- plications at Clubhouse gate or phone 987.1497 iSOREDA : Psychic Tarot Readings and Counselling °° off private readings with this coupon. Not valid at Maxima Offer expires July 26—84 . (mit one coupon per reading) é Phone: 929-6886 oun mo 1 on a of on a a om ee ™— =~ oe aR am aw am aw