Abortion is a hot button issue that evokes high emotions. On one end are those who believe the matter to be one of a woman’s right to autonomy. On the other end of the argument are those who believe the unborn have a right to live. Abortion, according to those who believe life begins at conception, is murder. In honor of allowing individuals to be informed and justly weigh the issue, here are three book recommendations that tell the stories of those who survived abortion attempts.
You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir by Melissa Ohden
Melissa Ohden was 14 years old when she learned about her mother’s decision to have an abortion. The plan was for Melissa to be aborted. Ohden, however, survived the abortion attempt and tells her story in You Carried Me.
Melissa takes readers through her process of discovery, anger, and ultimately forgiveness. She also delves into her feelings after searching for her biological father for more than a decade only to learn of his passing. Readers get a full scope of how Ohden views motherhood in light of knowing she was the victim of a botched abortion. You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir is a great story for those who enjoy memoirs and stories of redemption.Â
Claire Culwell was 21 years old when she learned her biological mother underwent an abortion procedure. The plan was to end the pregnancy of one baby. The doctor, however, did not realize that Claire was a twin. Claire survived the abortion, though her twin sibling did not make it.
In Survivor: An Abortion Survivor’s Surprising Story of Choosing Forgiveness and Finding Redemption, Culwell tells the story of how she grappled with the reality of her mom’s attempts to abort her, and how such truth has influenced her journey as a mother and as an advocate for the unborn. Not only does Claire encourage churches to defend human life from the womb, but she also challenges pro-life advocates to consider the mothers who view abortion as their only option. Survivor is a great story for those looking to understand the impacts of abortion.Â
Abortion Survivors Break Their Silence by Melissa Ohden and Cindy Lambert
Sometimes the matter of abortion is reduced to a political argument. Melissa Ohden and Cindy Lambert aim to bring humanity back to the subject with their anthology, Abortion Survivors Break Their Silence.Â
In this book, readers are met with individuals who survived abortion attempts. Abortion Survivors Break Their Silence is a great option for those looking to hear a different perspective about a delicate subject that is often crowded by strong opinions.Â