The Canberra Times is carrying this heart-rending story of Katy Gallagher’s pregnancy, announced at 17 weeks.
Ms Gallagher’s now-8-year-old daughter’s birth was surrounded in tragedy, with her fiance being killed while cycling in Merimbula (nicely tied in with the death of Amy Gillett in past weeks). Ms Gallagher was 13 week pregnant with Abigail at the time.
Interestingly, ” Ms Gallagher no longer listens to the radio in the car, knowing news reports about accidents can bring on crippling attacks of anxiety”.
She credits the Labor Party for helping her to keep going after her fiance’s death, and said she ran for election as a way of returning the favour.
I don’t doubt this will be a hard time for Ms Gallagher and will bring back many tough memories, but a small cynical part of me can’t help but wonder why she has chosen to announce her pregnancy at this particular time. It couldn’t be because of the warm and fuzzies pregnant women get, even if they’ve just revealed plans to shut down schools, could it?