The La Crosse Tribune from La Crosse, Wisconsin • Page 6

Crosse Tribune, Wednesday, October 18, 1972 Professionals, Not Sleazy Characters Social Security Who Are The Abortion Arrangers? Originator is Dead (This is the fourth in a series of five articles on abortion.) By ROBIN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Writer It would be incorrect to stereotype the persons who arrange for abortions as sleazy characters skulking around back alleys Rather, it would be more accurate to describe them as professionally trained persons whose primary job is counseling. One of these counselors said that he has helped arrange abortions for almost UK) girls. About 20 per cent of them were under 18, he explained, while 65 per cent were between 19 and 25 and the rest were over 25. The youngest, he said, was 13, the oldest 42. More than 70 per cent were unmarried, he added.

There are probably as many reasons for wanting an abortion as there are women, he said For many young persons the realization that they just aren't ready for marriage or that they couldn't do a family justice, he said For others, being frightened, and frightened of what others may think, the counselor said. They may see their only choices as keeping the baby, or doing the abortion themselves. The counselor said that the panic-stricken women have "tunnel vision and can only think of abortion. help them to sit back and look at their situation. While there are some immature, promiscuous women seeking abortions, he said, most of those he's seen are the kind any parent would be proud to have as a daughter.

They re generally intelligent, reasonably attractive, well educated and quite mature, he declared. But more importantly, he continued, they are human beings who got into trouble and are looking for help. When a woman comes to him wanting an abortion, he said, "the first thing to do is make sure she clearly knows all of the options open to Those options include marriage, keeping the baby, or putting the baby up for adoption. If the woman decides to carry the pregnancy to term and then put the babv up for adoption, the counselor said, she must decide whether to remain at home during her pregnancy or go to a maternity or work home. He added that he encourages the man involved to come in with the girl "It helps the man to realize that he.

too. has a responsibility in society In the majority of cases, the man has at least helped with the cost, the counselor added. He explained that in pointing out the various options, he doesn't moralize. The choice is hers, he said. If the choice is for other than abortion, he continued, the woman is then referred to an agency which will take over from there.

But. if the choice is for abortion, then a clinic where the operation will be performed must be chosen, the counselor explained "If I'm going to work with a young lady, she's going to do it on my ground She'll either use the facilities I ve checked out or she's going to have to accept more of the responsibility Only those women who are early in their pregnancy are referred to Madison Or. Alfred Kennan. since he won't accept anyone past their 11th week of pregnancy. Or.

Kennan is operating his abortion clinic while the constitutionality of the state law against abortion is tested in the courts. Almost 70 per cent of the women he arranged abortions for have gone to New York, the counselor said. "I could get them in in less than 24 The total cost, including plane fare and the abortion, runs about $380. he explained To my amazement, money isn't a problem When they the monev. thev can find it." Robin Thompson Only a couple of women have had financial problems, he said, but they were able to get reduced rates.

What about aftereffects? The counselor explained that three out of 100 got an infection as the result of the operation, but there were no serious complications. As for psychological aftereffects, he said that social workers have them out of proportion. He added that he thought girls who carried through their pregnancy and put the baby up for adoption encountered more emotional problems laster than the girls who had abortions. The counselor said that he insists there be a followup after the operation to see if there are any problems and to talk about birth control measures. In most cases, it can be done in a one- hour interview, he said.

How does he personally feel about abortion? Framing that he belonged to a church with a liberal view on the subject, he said that he felt the fetus, during its early stages, was parasite with no intelligence and in a primitive development state. But he continued, the pregnancy develops, I become less and less comfortable with pursuing He said that he thinks there should be some limitations after a certain period of time when abortion is no longer optional. He expressed some support for the New York time limit of 24 weeks, but added, not up to me to draw the line." It's even getting a little close for me" after four months, he said. The counselor added that it bothers him that some girls wait that long. But one reason, he said, may be because society has made it illegal, and the girl is afraid to seek help before then.

'By making abortion illegal, women are forced to hide out and wait." The opposite side of the coin, he said, is to prevent the need for abortions. Birth control devices should be readily available, he said, and young people should be taught how to protect themselves. If young people are going to have a new attitude about sex, he continued, 1 we have a responsibility to help them handle it in a reasonable way." A female counselor explained that abortion should be the last alternative considered. She said most girls wanting an abortion come to her pretty well decided, but there is always some doubt. She said she also insists that the girl come in for a personal interview.

Getting an abortion is an individual decision, she explained, but the circumstances surrounding that decision must be carefully considered. While lot of don't think there is life until the fetus quickens after the 16th week, the counselor said. personally think life beings at conception." it really bothers me when the girl is quite far along and the doctor says he can hear the heartbeat. The girls who are this far along don't think about the heartbeat, she said, but only how it will affect them It's a form of denial, she continued. Those girls are really saying.

I'm not pregnant, it's only a tumor." The counselor added that most abortions are done within the first 10 weeks after pregnancy occurs. She said that she always asks to see the girl again after the abortion In nine out of 10 cases, she said, the girls believe they made the right decision. don't see as much abortion aftereffect as I expected." For the other 10 per cent, she herwin -W illiams More Than A Paint Store 4 DAYS ONLY! Sale Ends October 23rd. 4,7 -v A -T A -V Ar WK i DV Buyfihtroif at regular price', GEr 2nd ROLL fORQNlV Choose From Many Beautiful Patterns STYLE PERFECT WALLPAPER. Freshness and excitement in a color coordinated wallpaper handsome designs and beautiful luxurious appearance at an economical first roll from $1.70.

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Asked if she would ever consider an abortion for herself, the counselor replied that she couldn't say. since it would depend on the circumstances. a personal thing and there are so many things that can interject." A clergyman who has counseled women wanting abortions said that he has talked to about half a dozen who experienced guilt feelings after the operation. In most of those cases, he said, the women wondered what the baby would have looked like if it hadn't been aborted. They didn't consider this when they got the abortion, he added.

On the other hand, the minister said, he also has talked to women who didn't experience any guilt feelings after the operation. But he added, none of them were flippant about it. felt it was the best way out of a difficult situation." In some cases, he declared, want to say the adults are irresponsible, but I also don't want to say I am going to punish her and the child." The minister explained that he believed a fetus has a right not to be born if its chances for a meaningful life are minimal. Still another counselor who has referred women for abortions said that he has found no cases of postabortion problems. 'They feel committing murder There's just one overriding thought this would interfere with my life.

It's a valid reason and perhaps they're right." Going through childbirth and giving up the baby is much more painful than having an abortion, he said. through pregnancy shouldn't be punishment. only valid reason for children is because we want them and will love them." he added. As for the question of when life begins, he said, consider it life until 12 weeks after conception." He said that he didn't like to recommend abortions after 12 weeks, but has because don't deal in absolutes." The counselor added that he couldn't argue with those who say that life begins at conception, because they each have different concepts. Madison Board OKs $42-Million Budget MADISON.

Wis. (API The Madison Board of Education approved a $42.4 million 1973 school budget Monday night, which was $250,000 more than that proposed by Supt. Douglas Ritchie, and then relayed the package to the city Board of Estimates for further action. The board added a $408,000 appropriation for renovating a junior high school. The renovation had been part of a now-dead November school referendum which was vetoed by Mayor William Dyke.

The board voted to eliminate a majority of student fees next the $3.00 textbook fee for elementary students and towel fees which range from 80 cents to $2 a cost to the district of about $183,000. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Arthur J. Altmeyer, an originator of the American social security system and once honored as Social died Monday in a Madison hospital after a brief illness. He was 81.

Altmeyer was summoned to Washington by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1933 to head the Compliance Division of the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and a year later he became assistant secretary of labor. He served as chairman of the president's technical board which drafted the Social Security Act, and was named social security board chairman in 1937, a position he held until 1946. In 1968, Altmeyer was honored as Mr. Social Security" by the Department of Education and Welfare on the 33rd anniversary of the Social Security Act. In addition to his work for social security.

Altmeyer began calling for a national health insurance plan 26 years before the advent of Medicare. Altmeyer. a native of De Pere, was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, receiving and master's and a doctor of philosophy degrees from the UW. Aboard Submarine USS TRUMPETFISH Navy PO 3 c. Rollin J.

Wagner, 1402 S. 4th La Crosse, is in European waters aboard the Charleston, C. homeported submarine USS Trumpetfish to participate in naval exercises with several NATO countries. Between exercises, his ship is scheduled to visit Amsterdam and England. He is a former Central High School student.

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