Ask hard questions of court nominee

On Sept. 4, hearings will begin to confirm Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court. For the first time in a long time, the possibility of Roe vs. Wade being overturned is very real.

I've always been pro-choice, but never thought that landmark decision would ever have an effect on my life. Then in June 2016, I found out my very wanted, very loved baby girl that I was carrying was very sick. "Incompatible with life" was the terminology used by the doctors. We made the heartbreaking decision to end the pregnancy.

I was almost 21 weeks pregnant. This was the hardest decision we have ever had to make and many people, including some in my own family, did not agree with it. We likened it to finding out our child was terminally ill but while in utero, and as parents it's our job to protect our children; we chose to save our child from a very short lifetime of nothing but hospitals and pain.

I was lucky. My insurance covered my termination and allowed me to have it in the comfort and safety of a hospital. I also live in a state that allows somewhat easy access to abortions well into the second trimester. This is not the case in many states. I have friends who have been in similar situations who had to travel hundreds and even thousands of miles to get the care they needed.

I'm asking that we demand our representatives to ask Mr. Kavanaugh the hard questions and not allow even the possibility of Roe vs. Wade be overturned. Women deserve to be able to get the health care they need without having to jump through hoops to do so.

Emily Lopez

Elgin