Abortion survivor: ‘This is my birth mother and I!’

This beautiful photograph of abortion survivor, Claire Culwell, and her birth mother was reportedly seen on Facebook by more than 200,000 people in just over 24 hours. For more on Claire’s incredible story, read this and see the video here. Claire has told her Facebook followers that she will soon be releasing her birth mother’s own personal story on video.

This is my birth mother and I! She had an abortion while she was pregnant with me at 13 years old. My twin was aborted…

Posted by Claire’s Story; Abortion Survivor on Thursday, October 29, 2015

 

In the last few days, Claire has told part of her story from her adoptive parents’ eyes. She posted the photo below – of her as a newborn with her adoptive parents – writing:

From my (adoptive) mom: 27 years ago Warren and I had waited, prayed for and longed for a baby to love into our family. The day came when we received a call about a tiny baby girl that was born at 30 weeks. We were thrilled the day we were able to meet her and finally bring her home. We wrote notes to the birthmother of the precious baby we were about to hold in our arms… how do you begin to “thank” someone for the baby you have been waiting for for years? With grateful hearts we brought home Claire. Our friends and family rejoiced with us.

Little did we know all what her birthmother had been through and what our baby had survived. We knew she was God’s amazing gift to us.. but wow. He HAD a Plan for her life!! Her name means VICTORIOUS ONE (crown of laurel leaves) and oh YES she was victorious! Since she learned about this miraculous story about her life, she has humbly and courageously been a voice to others about LIFE and making choices for LIFE. I am so proud of her. It brings tears to my eyes to see the sweet time she and her birthmother have had…connecting, and healing over much heartache. Claire’s birth mother has been courageous to tell her story and I can’t wait to hear it! HE Makes all things beautiful in HIS TIME!”

Posted by Claire’s Story; Abortion Survivor on Monday, November 2, 2015

Claire shared how she believes God allowed her birth mother to handpick the perfect parents to raise her:

People often ask me how I am able to forgive and love so easily especially in a situation where an abortion was attempted on my life. My answer has always been my parents. My birth mother hand picked them because of their amazing values, faith, foundation, and other qualities. She probably didn’t know that my mom is the most gracious, forgiving, comforting, loving human being I’ve ever known. She also probably didn’t know that my dad is so wise, thoughtful, humble and would raise my sister and I to value ourselves as daughters of The King.

She didn’t know a lot of those things but she picked the perfect ones for the job. They raised me to love, forgive, accept, give grace, be intentional and to see God in each and every thing that comes my way. I know I could have responded to the “news” of my birth mothers abortion very differently if I had been raised differently. God fit my life together so carefully and so perfectly. I am so, so thankful and continually blown away by all the of the details that God planned long, long ago.

Posted by Claire’s Story; Abortion Survivor on Thursday, October 29, 2015

Claire also posted this recent photo of herself with her birth mother, celebrating the forgiveness and love they share today:

My beautiful birth mother ? Love her so much! #abortionsurvivor #forgiveness #love

Posted by Claire’s Story; Abortion Survivor on Saturday, October 31, 2015