At the time, I was led to believe it was the best thing to do. As a panic-stricken 16-year-old, feeling hopeless and too ashamed to tell my family, I accepted the quick fix offered by Planned Parenthood to terminate my pregnancy. I was told I could move on with my life as if I had never been pregnant. I was assured no one would have to know, including the one who loved me most, my mother. Not presented with any other option, it seemed like the only choice I could make. That choice led to emotional and psychological trauma suffered in silence for decades.

Today, voters in Ohio have an opportunity to say “no” to an amendment to our constitution that would take us back to those days when a vulnerable child could fall prey to anyone who offers a quick fix without the loving guidance of parents.

The language in this dangerous amendment would directly conflict with current requirements for parental notification and consent to protect minors from making decisions out of fear that would affect them for a lifetime. In addition to the guilt of ending the life of my only child, I regret my mother and family were deprived of the opportunity to help me through the darkest days of my life. My child had no one to defend his life.

If passed, this amendment would also put women’s health at risk. Women would be forced to rely on an abortion industry that places profit above their health and safety. Even common-sense laws that require an abortion facility to obey medical regulations and follow surgery center guidelines could be labeled a “burden” and therefore be at risk if this amendment passes. Health care is not care when it intends the death of an innocent child or endangers the health and safety of a woman.

Issue 1 would also allow those performing the abortion to use a woman’s age or mental health as a reason to end an eight-month pregnancy. Do we really want to leave the safety of women and limits on abortion in the hands of the same organizations that stand to profit from enshrining abortion in our constitution?

My faith tells me that every human being has intrinsic value. The humanity of every young life in the womb is invaluable, no matter their developmental age, race, circumstance of conception, or physical or cognitive ability. The humanity of every woman matters, no matter her financial position; no woman should have to choose between the life of her child and financial security. Therefore, my faith also tells me to advocate for real solutions to poverty, hunger and lack of quality health care.

There are many nonprofit organizations working right now to help any woman who finds herself facing an unintended pregnancy under difficult circumstances. Pregnancy Resource Centers and other faith-based charities walk beside a woman and her family before, during and after pregnancy, asking nothing in return and motivated only by non-judgmental love and respect.

I have painfully shared my own story as just one of millions of women who regret their abortions. My suffering led me to help others who have been wounded by abortion and seek help by working confidential helplines and counseling others. I have heard from women who, weeks or months but very often decades later, have had their wounds re-opened by other life events. Our stories may be different, but we all have something in common. We were told abortion was the solution to a short-term problem only to discover that it created more life-altering problems than it solved. I am pleading with all people of good will here in Ohio to vote “no” on Issue 1 on or before Nov. 7. It’s a choice everyone can live with.

Christine (Christy) Ballor is a volunteer with Project Rachel of Northeast Ohio, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown that walks with women and men whose lives have been affected by abortion.