Students for Life at the University of Maryland

Raquel became pregnant at age 15 and chose life, even though her boyfriend's family told her she should have an abortion.

When I first found out that I was pregnant I wasn't surprised because at the time it was something that me and the father of my son wanted. Plans were made and everything sounded so perfect. I know I was young but with the father of my son, I knew I could do it with his support. Well things didn’t come out all perfect in the end because when I found out I was pregnant, the father of my son had gone to an "Encounter" [retreat] for all boys with his church around March of 2006. The reason why I say things didn't come out perfect is because when he came back from Encounter he came completely changed. He had told me that he wasn't ready for a baby and everything - but it was already too late. When he told me those words I broke down because I felt as if my whole world was going to end – I thought I was going to go through this whole situation by myself because I didn't get his support at all.

So I just left it at that with him, I didn't let him know anything else. So my brother had found out what I was going through because his girlfriend already knew and she told him. I didn't have a problem with that. Then my brother was scared for me so he went to go get help. He want to my godparents and told them what I was going through. So then my godparents called me over to their house. We had our talk and everything... They said they were going to support me in anything but they told me I had to tell my parents because it was something they had to know. I was so scared of what they would say, but I went through and told them. They were upset, especially my mother, because she already knew something was going on with me, so she took it very badly. She didn’t want to talk to me or have anything to do with me. My dad took it very badly but he told me he was going to support me no matter what.

So then the next day my dad wanted me to go to Carlos’ (the father of my son) house and let his family know, because he hadn’t told them what was going on. So me and my father go and tell his mother. She was in shock and didn’t know what to say. So we just left to let her think things out. Then Carlos’ mother calls my father and told him to give us another chance and to abort the baby because we were young and we still had a whole life ahead of us. She also said that one of her friends does abortion and that she would do it for me and that she had given her our number and everything. And my dad knew that I was not going to abort because I was pro-life and I was totally against abortion 100%. And even though my mother was mad at me and wasn't talking to me, she was upset at the fact that Carlos’ mother could think like that. So my mother didn’t want anything to do with the father of my son and their family.

A couple days later my mother and I started to talk again and she forgave me because she told me that she loved me and she wouldn't let me down like that. So we went to church and spoke to the priest and nuns, and we had their support all the way.

A month later I was going through a crisis because my mother had gotten really sick and was in the hospital. The doctors had said that she might not make it. I was scared because I knew that if she left I wasn't going to be able to do it by myself, without her there. My mother is my everything, my world, and my rock. I was really scared that I was going to lose her. And at the time I was going through depression and everything because I didn’t have the support of the person I loved. I needed him in those moments and he wasn’t there...but I knew I had to be stronger.. that I had to be strong for my son and my mother, and I knew with God's help I could do it. So all I did was pray that everything would come out fine.

And it did. My mother got better and was on her feet again. And the first thing she said to me when she got better was, "We're going to get through this, mija [my daughter], with or without Carlos”. Ultrasound of Raquel's baby

So months went by and I found that I could do it myself and that I didn't need Carlos in my life to support me. I knew that I was to make it with or without him just like my mother said. I didn’t worry about him, I was just taking care of me ..going to the doctor’s appointments and everything, looking at my son through the sonograms – sooo beautiful every time I saw him. He gave me strength to keep moving on with my life.

I mean I was happy I had all the support I needed by my family and closest friend and even though people were there to look down on me and judge me, I still managed to keep my head up because I knew the baby was a gift from God, and that it was done for a reason.

So then, months went by lol I was 7 months and we get a phone call from Carlos’ mother, and she said that she wants to be a part of her grandchild’s life and that Carlos was working, and that he wants to be there for his son too. I was a little bit iffy with it because I was just thinking to myself, why would they wait 7 months to tell me they wanted to be a part of the baby's life...they should have been there since day 1 if they really cared, right? Well I prayed and prayed and kept asking God why they waited until now to come. And then one day he made me realize that people change and to always forgive. So I forgave them and I gave them their spot...I let them be there.

But anyways let’s get to the good part. 2 months later our angel Antonio Alejandro Rodriguez was born on November 12, 2006 at 9:23pm. He was 7 lbs and 12 ounces, and 20 1/2 inches long. Raquel with her son He was the most beautifulest thing ever! That day changed my life. I realized a lot of things that same day. When I first saw him I had a feeling unexplainable, it was just beautiful. A couple days later we went home. And we were a happy family. He's a blessing to the whole family.

But anyways with this story I want to be able to change every girl’s life that is pregnant… To not even think twice about abortion. It’s not the baby's fault. They all deserve to have a chance to come into the new world and enjoy life! TRUST me it’s all worth it. It gets hard at times but it’s all worth it. My son changed my life for the better.

I go back to school now because I’m only 16 years old and only in the 11th grade, but I'm on Honor Roll. I want to be somebody in life. After I graduate I want to go to college and study criminal justice and dance. I want you guys to know that, just because you have a baby (which is a blessing) it doesn’t mean your whole world has gone to the drain. You can still be someone ... and prove to all the people that just because you've done mistakes (which the baby isn’t), you can still be somebody important in life, you just gotta put your mind to it and Carlos with their son motivate yourself! Because you can make a difference in someone else's life. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! You'll have my support and everyone else around you. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Back to Testimonies page