Jesse Ridgway claimed wife Ashley Ridgway’s family has been absent as she recovers from an abortion.
“This video is from the evening after the procedure,” Jesse, 33, captioned a video shared via Facebook on Monday, June 8. “My parents drop off an extremely thoughtful gift basket and show unconditional love and support … meanwhile, her family has been nowhere to be found.”
Jesse alleged that members of Ashley’s family have been “joining in on the bandwagon hate PUBLICLY” and “kicking her while she’s down at her lowest point.”
Jesse announced earlier this month that Ashley, 31, decided to terminate her pregnancy after receiving a fetal Down syndrome diagnosis. The couple have been navigating backlash both publicly and privately, according to Jesse.
“She has received text messages from her family accusing me of abuse and that I’m brainwashing her … issuing ultimatums that she needs to LEAVE ME IMMEDIATELY,” Jesse claimed in his Facebook caption on Monday. “Audacious s*** that will have your head-spinning because of the delusion and lack of consideration.”
He continued, “Downright disgusting gossip and s***-talking amongst important people in her life as if she’s not even blood. No backbone, just cowardice as they accuse me of making the decision and controlling/manipulating her over all the years of being together.”
Jesse explained that Ashley has been experiencing “the hardest” few weeks of her life following the procedure.
“It’s times like these where you want to be able to depend on your family for love and support,” Jesse added, claiming that both family and friends have been “turning their backs” on him and Ashley.
“We’ve put up with a lot of s***, but when it’s your own family exercising their bitterness and turning their backs when it matters the most, it really reveals everything about their character,” he continued. “Hell, I’ve even seen the worst of ‘friends’ publicly joining in on the crusade despite full-well knowing that behind closed doors, they would’ve made the same decision.”
Jesse noted that he doesn’t “relish” in sharing these details because it “furthers a divide” between those closest to him and Ashley.
“When you’re MIA, complicit and offensive during the hardest times of our life then you will never deserve to be there when it’s good,” he wrote. “My wife is the sweetest and strongest woman I know, the last thing she deserves is to be treated this way.”
Jesse concluded his caption with a message to other people who have experienced something similar in their own lives.
“My heart goes out to all of the women who have had to keep their abortions private for fear of judgment from friends/family, it’s the last thing you should be dealing with when you’re already confronting the hardest/worst of times,” he wrote. “This is the sad reality. It’s why I will continue to speak out. It’s why sharing is better than hiding. The truth may be hard, but at least you’re living freely. Do NOT ever let the opinions of others define your life or else you will be living a life that’s not YOURS.”
