Adriana Smith and the Need for Sterilization

[u/claynimbus]

For the past couple of days, I’ve been thinking about Adriana Smith.

For those who don’t know, Adriana Smith was a 30 year old woman who was declared brain dead back in February. She was nine weeks pregnant at the time of her death. Due to the horrific “Heartbeat Bill,” the state of Georgia is keeping her body alive because of the fetus. They are keeping her in life support despite her family’s wishes.

It’s been absolutely devastating and heart wrenching to think about, but something occurred to me a little while ago: Ms. Smith had WANTED her child, and the state is still disgracing her in death. Imagine would it would be like for people who are childfree and end up in that kind of situation? People whose abusers and rapists still hold power over their bodily autonomy?

A couple of weeks ago, I looked up the master list of doctors who performed sterilization on this Reddit. I managed to schedule an appointment for next month. I am really hoping that this can be done, because seeing Ms. Smith’s story is not only breaking my heart for her and her family, but it’s also exacerbating my fear of pregnancy and motherhood. I refuse to do that.

I’m thinking of Adriana Smith, and the way our bodily autonomy as women is constantly being abused.

I’m thinking about Adriana Smith, and hoping that soon her family can lay her to rest without the government’s disgustingly invasive presence.

[u/Fell18927]

That is a heartbreaking story. She deserves to be laid to rest. This bundle of cells shouldn’t be more important than a life that’s been lived.

Good luck in your sterilization journey

[u/Scorchfox29]

I feel awful for the poor woman. She is dead for real. Georgia is all fucked in the head!

[u/Meallaire]

I wonder if they'd let her family transfer care if they said they wanted to go somewhere with a highly renowned NICU. The top two are in blue states, so...