December 27, 2012 - So despite appearing in the first comic of this storyline for once, I don't think I actually mentioned this woman's name. This is Stephanie Dugan and her boyfriend's name is Rob Mayweather.

Today's comic kinda brings up the ongoing debate of the necessity of theraputic sessions with patients. On the one hand they belittle a woman's own personal decision to one she makes with a total stranger, rather than truly validating her ability to make her own decisions or allowing her to consult with people she trusts. On the other hand it provides haven from abuse and offers potential solutions if it looks like the woman is in an abusive situation and it has the potential to offer educational resources to prevent subsequent abortions or rather (and more importantly) subsequent unplanned pregnancies.

Ultimately I don't want to preach about which option is better, just get people thinking about the various options and whether they should be unavailable, a choice, or mandatory, and whether patients should accept, reject, or just outright ignore anything they hear.

-D