aR Blog
A Beautiful Transformation
A Beautiful Transformation
After a woman or a man receives post-abortion healing, there is an observable change that we often witness. With many women, we notice that she holds her head higher, she smiles and when she tears up, many times they are tears of joy and thankfulness. A burdensome weight appears to be lifted off her shoulders and she tends to be more engaged when telling her story and listening to others stories. Many women share they want to help others realize that “they are not alone” and “grief is a common experience after an abortion”. It is a transformation that appears right in front of our eyes….
I never gave abortion much thought because I told myself, “This would never happen to me.” Not like this. The test came back “+.” What was I going to do? I came from a good, loving, and supportive family but I was too scared to tell them that I was pregnant. What would they do? What would they say? I had great friends, a great life, but now what? I felt so alone, afraid and confused about my next step. I was ashamed, embarrassed, I knew better. Thoughts of keeping the baby or putting it up for adoption crossed my mind but I had no one to share them with who understood what I was going through. The father of the baby, my boyfriend at the time, expressed his fear by being adamant that abortion was our only option. My best friend said that she would support whichever choice I made. We were in college and had the whole world ahead of us so it seemed that abortion would be the best option for the father’s future and for mine. I scheduled the abortion and shortly after, went to the clinic with my boyfriend and my best friend by my side. Little did I know the emotional turmoil that I would face and live with in the days, the months and the years ahead.
At first, I felt relief that I was no longer pregnant but soon after, regret and guilt overwhelmed me. As the weeks passed by, I had to continue with the lies so no one around me would find out what I had done Then it was back to normal, at least from the outside, but inside, my heart hurt and was broken. Months, then years passed and although my secret was heavy on my heart, I kept quiet, keeping busy and doing my best to enjoy life. The pain would show up at random times. The grief and shame were like waves that would come and go. I was so unsettled about what I had done and I could do nothing to change it.
For years, I could not forgive myself and I was unable to escape from the thoughts of my past abortion.
I reached out for support at an aR Connection meeting and after a while, joined a Living in Color 8-week Healing Group. After my 8-week Living in Color group was complete, I looked back at my Journey and realized that I had to deal with my past of hard and uncomfortable memories. Most importantly, through the experience, I was overwhelmed by how I grew more peaceful and strong in so many areas of my life, spiritually and emotionally. I have enjoyed and been delighted in growing in my experience… ~ Adapted from the true story of a courageous woman
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 – September 11, 2018
PDHC 665 East Dublin Granville Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43229
3rd Wednesday of each month -9:30-10:30am – September 19, 2018
W.A.R.M. 150 Heatherdown Dr., Westerville, Ohio 43081
Lancaster, Athens, Morrow County Please call or text (614) 721-2100 for meeting location and time.
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 soon in Lancaster
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 a 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.
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.