aR Blog
The Connection
Having thoughts about your child(ren) whose life was ended by abortion is common. In fact, there is a biological explanation called microchimerism which can explain your feelings of connection. Sydna Masse, CEO, and Founder of Ramah International explains that you are not alone in feeling this connection…
Abortion is an obvious death experience. After the abortion, there is often a deep emptiness in the mother’s heart as the soul of the aborted child is often overlooked at a biological and spiritual level. With any form of pregnancy loss, there is a deep level of grief that is either embraced or denied. In post-abortive hearts, that grief is often disallowed. Triggers of abortion pain can ignite sorrow that is very difficult to defuse. Once kindled, sorrow can overwhelm and lead the individual to believe they are mentally ill.
Post-abortive women often report feeling “haunted” at some point in their journey through life after abortion. Picture knowing something is wrong but being unable to define the situation. This is often the post-abortive experience.
When the aborted child’s placenta physically detaches from the mother’s womb, the difficult to explain separation anxiety can overwhelm a heart. This “emptiness” often feels like a haunting as memories of the lost child surround the woman.
The biological impact of microchimerism adds to the child’s impact on the woman’s heart. During the early stages of pregnancy, the mother and child exchange small quantities of cells. The ongoing cellular presence of this child in the mother’s body is called microchimerism. There is evidence that mothers are unconsciously influenced by fetal DNA for years after their pregnancies.
Early in pregnancy, cells from the unborn child and its mother travel across the placenta. This results in the two humans – mother and unborn child – becoming part of each other. Estimates suggest that as much as 10 percent of the mother’s DNA in her bloodstream comes from the tiny human in her womb. The child’s DNA drops after birth but there is clear evidence that some remains in the mother’s body…There is also clear evidence that when unborn children die before birth they leave a lasting imprint on the mother because the cells – or DNA – remain in the mother’s body…
This scientific concept of microchimerism explained why my mother’s heart could not forget my aborted child. We continue to maintain a biological connection at a cellular level. It also verified why I always felt so close to my own mother and my three sons.
aR Connection Support Meetings
Connect with other women who can say “me too”…Join us for aR (abortion recovery) Connection post-abortion healing support groups:
Columbus 2nd Tuesday of each month – 7:00-8:00pm – August 14, 2018
PDHC 665 East Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43229
3rd Wednesday of each month -9:30-10:30am – August 15, 2018
W.A.R.M. 150 Heatherdown Dr., Westerville, Ohio 43081
Lancaster, Please call or text (614) 721-2100 for meeting location and
Athens, times.
& Morrow County
Other Locations Please call or text (614) 721-2100 for a referral to a partner post-abortion recovery and care group.
These groups are for individuals who have a shared abortion experience to connect with each other and to discuss how they can find support. Connection groups provide a safe, confidential, compassionate and nonjudgmental place for individuals to begin the process of healing after abortion. Call or text (614) 721-2100 and visit www.OurChoiceOurVoice.org .
Rachel’s Vinyard Retreat Weekend 
September 14-16 2018
Women who have attended a Rachel’s Vineyard Healing Retreat Weekend have said:
“JESUS IS REALLY REAL, alive, and in love with us all!!! I came to the April retreat expecting something, I didn’t know what but God exceeded anything that I could explain in words. The retreat truly took healing to a level I didn’t know existed and I still can’t believe that it’s happening to me!!! My Life Has Changed and I am Speechless. Thank you, Team, I truly love you all.”
“Excellent exercises that bring participants along the journey of forgiveness and grace.”
“God-breathed and His Son and Spirit were all constantly present, embracing and moving. My sisters in the group and the team members’ hearts were all open, accepting, understanding and kind.”
“It was the best thing I’ve ever done! I sensed the Lord’s presence there often in every way.”
One in four women has personally been affected by abortion.
Rachel’s Vineyard post-abortion healing retreat weekend is September 14-16, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio.
This confidential retreat is a small group of others who can say “me too”. The retreat begins Friday afternoon at 3:00pm and concludes on Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. Each woman has her own room, all meals are included. The retreat includes a time of spiritual connection and personal reflection in a lovely retreat setting. For more information call or text Carolyn at 614-721-2100 or email CarolynK@PDHC.org.
Blue isn’t just a pretty color
Recovery Helps. Recovery Provides Hope. Recovery Results in Healing!
Have you considered attending one of Connection meetings or participating in one of our 8-week healing group studies? You will be amazed at the people you meet and truly care about you in a non-judgmental compassionate way. You will feel comfortable talking to them because they have a story like yours and you will feel understood.
aR Connection Support Meetings
Connect with other women who can say “me too”…Join us for aR (abortion recovery) Connection post-abortion healing support groups:
Columbus 2nd Tuesdays of each month – 7:00-8:00pm – June 12, 2018
PDHC 665 East Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43229
3rd Wednesday of each month -9:30-10:30am – June 20, 2018
W.A.R.M. 150 Heatherdown Dr., Westerville, Ohio 43081
Lancaster, Athens Please call or text (614) 721-2100 for meeting location and time.
& Morrow County
Any other location Please call or text (614) 721-2100 for a referral to a partner abortion
recovery and care group.
These groups are for individuals who have a shared abortion experience to connect with each other and to discuss how they can find support. Connection groups provide a safe, confidential, compassionate and nonjudgmental place for individuals to begin the process of healing after abortion. Call or text (614) 721-2100 and visit www.OurChoiceOurVoice.org
Living in Color begins in July
Living in Color is a post-abortion recovery and healing program designed for use by a small, facilitator-led support group. The small group meets once per week for 8 weeks and workbook is used as a guide for the group.
What Living in Color participants are saying:
“I am so blessed to have completed the Living in Color sessions. [I can’t believe] the Freedom I feel…free from guilt and shame, No more anger toward my Mom or my ex-husband and Knowing that I have 2 daughters who love me and don’t have anger or resentment toward me! What an amazing Journey to Redemption and Joy.”
“Keep going through it…you’ll love the outcome! Very eye-opening yet comforting! Love how personal! The beginning of a better mind.”
“I found Living in Color to be helpful and supportive because I was able to share my experience with others open and honestly… has been so healing in all areas of my life.”
Begin your healing journey…Call or text (614) 721-2100 or email CarolynK@PDHC.org for more info and to register for our healing group.
May-be you?
May was Josie’s favorite time of the year! The warm sun, beautiful nature and hanging out with friends and family at the lake brought much joy to her life until May marked the month of her abortion decision. When Josie shared the reason for her “May-time Blues” with her friend Lydia, Lydia assured Josie that she made the best choice that she could at the time and that she needed to get on with her life.
Many people share that having an abortion experience often leads to a very lonely emotional struggle. Are you experiencing an emotional struggle where nobody hears or understands your pain? Are you struggling because you are told to “get over it!” or “It’s over with, so just move on!”? Maybe you struggle with shame, guilt, regret or perhaps, the stigma of abortion won’t allow you to share your story with anyone?
Are you discovering that because you or others don’t allow you to share the pain of your abortion experience that your emotions of loneliness, anger, depression, regret are intensifying? Or have your emotions been pushed down, covered up and suppressed for so long that you don’t feel much of anything anymore, good or bad?
You are not meant to live your life in a lonely emotional struggle or numbness. aR Connection meetings* are a safe place where the people are warm and welcoming. At an aR Connection meeting you can decide to share your experience or just listen to the experiences of others. And you know what? You may hear a story like yours. You may feel understood. You may feel like you can breathe again. You may feel valued. You may shed a tear or feel like smiling. But one thing is certain, you will never feel like you are alone on this journey again.
*aR (abortion Recovery) Connection meetings