The story of Miriam “Penny” Hopper, a Florida resident, who claims to have been born after a failed abortion attempt in 1955, has sparked a national conversation about abortion and the rights of the unborn. Hopper’s account, as told to Fox News Digital, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
According to Hopper, her mother experienced complications and bleeding at 23 weeks of pregnancy.[0] Her father rushed her mother to the doctor in the middle of the night, but the limited equipment available at the time failed to detect a fetal heartbeat.[0] The doctor suggested terminating the pregnancy, and Hopper’s mother was given a shot to induce an abortion.[0] However, against all odds, Hopper was born at just 1 pound and 11 ounces.[0]
In a Faces of Choice video, Hopper reveals that she was placed in a bedpan on the back porch of the clinic by a nurse.[0] It was her grandmother and aunt who later arrived at the clinic and contacted the police.[0] With the help of a nurse, Hopper was transported to a hospital in Lakeland, Florida.[0] Her survival is nothing short of a miracle.
Hopper’s story has gained significant attention, with many believing it to be a powerful testament to the value of every human life, even in the most challenging circumstances. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is currently vying for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has used Hopper’s story to support his stance on abortion.[1]
DeSantis has emphasized the need for men to provide support to pregnant women, stating that many women feel they have no other option but to have an abortion due to a lack of support.[2] He believes that men should be held accountable and should provide child support from the moment of conception. DeSantis has been praised for his pro-life policies in Florida, including expanding postpartum medical care for impoverished women and increasing opportunities for foster care and adoption.[3]
However, DeSantis’s views on abortion and the role of men in supporting pregnant women have also faced criticism. Some argue that his focus on child support fails to address the broader issues that women face when considering an abortion, such as financial stability and access to healthcare. Others question the validity of Hopper’s story, suggesting that it may be exaggerated or fabricated.[4]
The debate surrounding Hopper’s story and DeSantis’s stance on abortion highlights the deeply divisive nature of the topic. Pro-life advocates see Hopper’s survival as evidence of the potential for life, even in the face of adversity. Meanwhile, pro-choice advocates argue that women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and pregnancies without interference.
Despite the controversy, Hopper’s story has shed light on the experiences of abortion survivors and the need for greater awareness and support for those who have lived through attempted abortions. Melissa Ohden, founder and CEO of the Abortion Survivors Network, plans to launch a campaign declaring September as “Babies Survive Abortions Awareness Month” to challenge misconceptions and amplify personal stories.[4]
While the details of Hopper’s story cannot be fully verified, her account has undoubtedly sparked an important and ongoing conversation about the value of every human life and the complex issues surrounding abortion. Regardless of one’s beliefs on the matter, Hopper’s story serves as a reminder that every life is unique and deserving of respect and protection.
0. “Abortion survivor DeSantis mentioned at GOP debate speaks out: ‘I did exist'” Yahoo News, 31 Aug. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/abortion-survivor-desantis-mentioned-gop-095916487.html
1. “DeSantis: Men should pay child support from conception” WWJ, 7 Sep. 2023, https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news/national/desantis-men-should-pay-child-support-from-conception
2. “Ron DeSantis has bizarre solution to help ‘decrease’ abortion rates” indy100, 7 Sep. 2023, https://www.indy100.com/politics/ron-desantis-abortion-child-support
3. “Ron DeSantis says Florida ‘sympathetic’ to mothers facing abortion decision over economic hardship” Florida Politics, 6 Sep. 2023, https://floridapolitics.com/archives/633035-ron-desantis-says-florida-sympathetic-to-mothers-facing-abortion-decision-over-economic-hardship
4. “Abortion survivor DeSantis mentioned at GOP debate speaks out: ‘I did exist'” Fox News, 31 Aug. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/abortion-survivor-desantis-mentioned-gop-debate-speaks-did-exist
