Teresa Garratty: My view on the 8th amendment referendum in Ireland

Disclaimer: I know I usually write about trivial inane drivel but ****’s about to get real…brace yo’ selves.

My work can sometimes lead me down some pretty quirky paths. I’ve been witness to Mad Max style drum shows complete with fire and explosions and I’ve attended the most ridiculously extravagant 9 years old birthday party…complete with video message from Mark Ronson (I know, WTF?!).

This time however, I’ve been steered in a pretty dark direction and onto a topic I (embarrassingly!) knew absolutely nothing about. In fact, I’m not even sure I should be telling you that I didn’t know about this…it could damage my reputation of being a bit of a smart arse, know-it-all douche bag…

But it’s for a very worthy cause…and surely I can’t be the only person that didn’t know about this. There’s got to be other people, just as sheltered as me. DON’T YOU LIE TO ME!

OK, here it goes. I was recently asked to film a campaign video for a group called London Irish ARC. Now, I know what you’re thinking and no, they are not a bunch of Irish people building a boat for two of every animal.

That’s an ark…that’s not what this is. ARC is an acronym for a little something called the Abortion Rights Campaign.

Apparently (please, be gentle, I can barely keep up with English politics!) abortion is not legal in Ireland or Northern Ireland and never has been.

I was not prepared for this information. I mean, it’s 2018 for crying out loud! I was expecting the campaign to revolve around making some kind of abortion related healthcare free and that maybe abortion was something that was generally frowned upon but no, it’s just flat out illegal.

After hanging my head in shame for being so uneducated, I decided to do a little digging to rectify the matter and it led to some pretty dismal revelations. The only instance in which abortion is performed is if the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother or if the mother is at risk of suicidal ideation (in the opinion of three, yes THREE, doctors). That’s it. That’s your lot.

Imagine you’re pregnancy is the result of failed contraceptive, or rape, or that you’ve been told your child will not survive outside the womb. Apparently, none of those reasons are above the law. Imagine having to face numerous visits to the doctor in vain. Imagine ordering illegal abortion pills off the internet and wondering if they’re safe. Imagine having to leave your friends, family and home for what other countries class as a basic human right.

Now imagine doing all of that when you’re deaf and signing is your first language.

How are you going to access those doctor appointments and offers of counselling?

How are you going to cope in a foreign country where the native sign language is different to your own?

How are you going to order the “safest” illegal abortion pills when all the information is written in English? How will you follow the written instructions and precautions on the leaflet?

And how the hell are you going to pay for any of this? The interpreters? The flights? The life risking pills?

I’m only writing about it and I’m already having palpitations. I can’t even begin to fathom what it must be like to live with.

But it’s not all doom and gloom!

A referendum in Ireland is just around the corner that asks voters if they want to repeal the 8^th amendment of the country’s constitution, which could result in lifting the ban on abortion. This would mean safer access to abortion services for all Irish women and especially deaf Irish women. They will be able to access their right to information in their own language, ISL.

Lots of wonderful Irish people are doing lots of wonderful things to secure a “Yes” vote. Some are flying home to Ireland from all over the world to make their vote count (#hometovote) and those that are no longer eligible to vote are urging friends and family at home to make the right decision by voting “Yes” (#bemyyes).

So what can us non Irish people do to help? Well, you can show your support by aiding campaigners in your area. There are TONS of Facebook groups and fundraising events related to repealing the 8^th. Check them out to see what help you can offer.

And finally, just keep talking about it. Make sure people know what’s going on, especially the self absorbed muppets that know nothing outside of their own little bubbles…

I’m pretty sure you all know at least one Irish/N. Irish person. They’re everywhere. I’ve got one!

Even though it’s only a vote for residents of the Republic of Ireland and not N. Ireland residents (I know…I’m getting a politics headache too), you should still talk to as many people as possible and see if you can move a step closer to helping secure just one more “Yes” vote. Do it for your Irish partners, your Irish in-laws, your Irish friends and of course, your fellow Irish deafies!

Everything I’ve mentioned so far is just the tip of a colossal iceberg. (It makes the one that sunk the Titanic look like a Slush Puppie.) So, if you’d like to know more or do some fact checking yourself, have a click on the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/deaftogetherforyes/

(Info in written English and sign language videos)

https://www.facebook.com/londonirishARC/

(They have a Twitter and Instagram if you prefer a different platform. Video content is usually subtitled)

https://www.togetherforyes.ie/

(All sorts of general information)

Read more of Teresa’s posts (with cartoons!) by clicking here.

Teresa is a freelance film maker, photographer and full time cynic. At school, she was voted “Most likely to end up in a lunatic asylum”, a fate which has thus far been avoided. Her pet hates are telephones, intercoms and all living things. Follow her on Twitter as @TGarratty