She was raised Catholic on a Wyoming ranch. Then she needed an abortion.

Synopsis

Riata Little Walker and her husband were thrilled to be expecting their first child. But at 22 weeks pregnant, doctors diagnosed their baby with severe heart defects. Continuing the pregnancy meant their daughter would likely die during pregnancy or shortly after birth, and she would suffer. 

A lifelong Wyoming resident from a conservative Catholic ranching family, Riata says her upbringing ultimately helped her understand why abortion needs to be an option. She made the decision to travel to Colorado to find a clinic that would induce labor, a procedure she later learned is considered an abortion. Her daughter lived for 10 minutes—long enough for Riata and her husband to say goodbye and baptize her.

Riata spoke with Abortion in America in Austin, Texas to bring greater attention and awareness to the experiences of people living in states with abortion bans.