Survivor of Abortion Speaks to Hamilton Crowd

By: Patricia Elvikis

On November 9, over 200 guests at the Annual Respect Life Dinner were treated to a captivating speech by Melissa Ohden the survivor of a saline abortion attempt.

Melissa recounted her personal history in which she told of her miraculous survival of a saline-induced abortion, and then of having the opportunity to develop a relationship with the family of her biological father, although her father had passed away. In this relationship a strong emotional tie was developed and a compatible relationship continues to this day. Her father’s parents, having lost a son perhaps see in Melissa, their  granddaughter, hope for the future. Adding to the joy of Melissa’s life is the birth of her own daughter, Olivia, born in 2008. Olivia would never have been born if Melissa had succumbed to the violent abortion attempt. However, by the grace of God, Melissa survived and was able to pass on the gift of life to her beautiful daughter.

The compelling story of these lives leads to the recognition of a salient point: many people are affected by the decision of a mother-to-be to submit to the act of abortion. Not only does abortion almost always cause the death of the unborn child, but it also causes physical and emotional trauma for the mother herself. Abortion cannot be veiled as a solution to a “problem”. It cannot be termed as an issue of  “choice”; the baby is already here with us, just dependent on his or her mother, as development and growth take place.

The range of emotions felt by fathers is also significant, and may range from resentment and anger at being excluded from knowledge of the abortion to bereavement at the loss of what might have been his child. Extended family members, such as grandparents, brothers, and sisters, are also often deeplyaffected by abortion, and may be well situated to offer the exact help an expecting mother needs. They share grief over the loss of a child, as told by Jeremiah: “Rachel is weeping for her children; …because they are no more.”

Mothers who have aborted never forget their babies. In her speech Melissa shared that often after she has spoken mothers who have aborted approach her and say, “You could bemy daughter.” These mothers have the faint hope that by some miracle their child has survived. What a powerful expression of a parent’s love for the child who is forever lostto her. These mothers continue to experience the longing for the child they have destroyed.