Abortion: A Profoundly Life-Altering Experience.
This conference will be a discussion of abortion and its effect on health (such as depression, anxiety, impacted grief...), self-respect, personal relationships, and physical, psychological and spiritual healing.
General Information
Date: 9/17/2005
Location: George Mason's Fairfax Campus. Building: Science & Tech 1. Rm: 131
Directions and campus Map visit http://www3.gmu.edu/welcome/Directions-to-GMU.html
Parking: Parking is available at Mason's parking garage. Rates are $1.50/hour or $7.50 maximum. There will be designated parking for Fall for the Book which is reportedly cheaper at $5. Science and Tech 1 and the parking areas are marked on the map above.
Public Transportation: The Cue Bus stops at the Vienna Metro Stop at Mason's Fairfax Campus. $.50 for non students and $.25 for students. Schedules are available at the Cue Bus website.
Time: 10:30-2:15
Registration: Registration is not necessary, but is recommended. Send your name, email address, and telephone number to Alfredo Torrez at GMUSFL@gmail.com This conference is free.
Information Phone Number: If you have trouble finding Science and Tech I, call the Johnson Center Information Desk at (703) 993-9000.
Questions? Email Alfredo Torrez at GMUSFL@gmail.com
Schedule
10:30-11:30 Abortion, Domestic Violence & Women’s Health: How Are They Related? This talk will demonstrate the impact of abortion on domestic violence, women’s health and women’s empowerment.
Gerri Laird , Former Director of Project Rachel and current Coordinator for Education and Training in the Office for Family Life of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, VA.
Bio
11:30-12:15 Lunch Break
12:15-1:15 Surprised by Abortion -- Short & Long-term Effects of Abortion on Women. Today, increasing numbers of post-abortive women, including former pro-choice advocates, are acknowledging that they were in the dark about the intense suffering that their abortion(s) would cause them. Through both clinical examples and well-documented research, this presentation will address the ways in which abortion is known to affect women emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and physically. Additionally, Ms. Ryan will speak about a model for healing from the trauma of abortion which has brought hope and new life to many women who have been deeply wounded.
Susanna Ryan, MSN, RNCS is a nurse-psychotherapist with the Center for Integrative Psychiatry in Vienna, VA. Bio
1:15-2:15 Restoring the Rose. In this talk, Diana will pull from many of her past writings and talks to describe the life that led her to abortion twice, and the healing that returned her to wholeness afterward. She will incorporate some of her poetry and other writings, and provide written copies for those who are interested.
Diana has been married for 24 year, and is currently an associate real estate broker in the Woodbridge, VA area. She has shared her story with several groups, both locally and elsewhere.
Bio
Speaker Bios
Gerri Laird
Mrs. Gerri Laird grew up and was educated in Erie, PA. During the 22 years that her husband served in the military, she was involved in volunteer work in many parts of the United States and in Germany as well, directing a crisis pregnancy center near Penn State University, and coordinating the establishment of two crisis pregnancy centers on military bases overseas.
In 1995, Mrs. Laird attended the Fourth World Women's Conference in Beijing, China, as a Non-Government Organization (NGO), and gave a workshop on fertility awareness – a subject she has been teaching for over twenty years. She currently speaks on the many aspects of family life, including: marital intimacy, parenting, motherhood, abortion, and post-abortion healing.
For nine years, Mrs. Laird served as Director of Project Rachel (in Arlington, VA), a post-abortion healing program that began in Wisconsin and is now in almost every State and in several countries as well. She also directed Gabriel Project Arlington, a parish-based program assisting pregnant women in need, for two years. She is currently the Coordinator for Education and Training in the Office for Family Life of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, VA
Susanna Ryan, MSN, RNCS.
Susanna Ryan, MSN, RNCS is a nurse-psychotherapist with the Center for Integrative Psychiatry in Vienna, VA. She works with couples and individual adults, and has a specialty in counseling post-abortive women in individual and group settings. Additionally, she is a consultant to agencies for post-abortive healing, to a birthing/care program and to crisis pregnancy ministries.
Diana
Diana was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. During her college years, she was drawn into the social climate of sex, drugs and a “rock and roll” lifestyle. She became pregnant twice and aborted both times. Her story will include those turbulent times, the abortions, forgiveness, and healing – the restoration of “the Rose.” Diana has been married for 24 years, and is currently an associate real estate broker in the Woodbridge, VA area. She has shared her story with several groups, both locally and elsewhere.
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