Title: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Shares Personal Abortion Story During Presidential Debate
Date: Month Day, Year
In a recent presidential debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attempted to dodge a question about a proposed six-week federal abortion ban by sharing a personal story about a woman named Penny. The anecdote, which had become part of DeSantis’ pitch for greater regulation of abortion rights, garnered attention and speculation on social media platforms.
DeSantis recounted the story of Penny surviving multiple abortion attempts and being discarded in a pan, only to be saved by her grandmother and taken to a different hospital. The governor then shifted the conversation to attack Democrats for their perceived “abortion extremism.”
The authenticity of DeSantis’ anecdote was questioned by viewers, but his campaign confirmed that Penny does indeed exist and that the governor has personally met her. Penny is actually Miriam Hopper, an anti-abortion activist residing in Florida, who refers to herself as an “abortion survivor.”
However, medical professionals have pointed out that the details of Hopper’s birth in 1955 are impossible to verify. The medical practices and technology available during that time were vastly different from current advancements, making her story less relevant to the ongoing debate about abortion rights and policy. It is important to note that at the time of Hopper’s birth, abortion was illegal and even attempted abortions could result in legal consequences for providers.
Despite the controversy surrounding her story, Hopper has not made any public comments recently. However, she did share her personal experience in an online video posted by Protect Life Michigan, an anti-abortion advocacy group, as part of a campaign against a ballot initiative that aimed to enshrine abortion rights in Michigan’s constitution. “Abortion survivors” have often been featured in anti-abortion campaigns, including appearing in campaign ads and testifying on Capitol Hill in support of federal abortion bans.
According to Hopper, her mother sought medical care in 1955 due to complications related to her pregnancy. At 23 weeks pregnant, on the edge of the viability threshold for fetuses, the doctor allegedly induced labor after claiming he could not hear a heartbeat. Hopper claimed that the doctor instructed a nurse to discard her, regardless of whether she was alive or not. However, her grandmother and aunt found her in a bedpan on the clinic’s back porch, and her grandmother contacted the police. She was eventually taken to a hospital where she survived several bouts of pneumonia.
Hopper’s mother, aunt, father, and grandmother have since passed away, and there are no news reports covering the incident.
While Hopper’s story may hold some significance to her personal life, it is not representative of current abortion practices or regulations. Diane Horvath, an obstetrician and gynecologist performing abortions, noted that the medical practices available 68 years ago were vastly different, and significant advancements have been made since. Moreover, late-term abortions comprise less than 1 percent of all procedures, and access to such facilities is limited.
Governor DeSantis has been using this story as part of his recent shift towards a more personal messaging campaign. His campaign adviser, Ryan Tyson, stated that DeSantis aims to connect with people he encounters on the campaign trail. However, no additional details were provided regarding the circumstances of DeSantis’ meeting with Hopper.
As the debate surrounding abortion continues, it is crucial to consider evidence-based information and current medical practices when discussing access to abortion and related regulations.
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