Abby Johnson - Survivor: An Abortion Survivors Surprising Story of Choosing Forgiveness and Finding Redemption

Claire Culwell is living, breathing proof that each and every preborn life is sacred. Not only does she have a powerful story to share about surviving an abortion attempt, but she also exemplifies Christlike compassion and forgiveness for women who have sought abortionsincluding her own biological mother. This inspiring book has the potential to change hearts and touch lives!

Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family

Claires life, and almost lack thereof, is one full of shocking revelations that are certainly worth tellingbut that doesnt mean its an easy story to share. She does us all a great privilege by sharing the raw, vulnerable, and deepest parts of her life, bringing light to darkness and a lens of mercy to our nations most divisive topic. Claires perspective as an abortion-attempt survivor not only tells her own powerful story but also shows how every family members journey is intricately woven together to reveal Gods great love and plan for us.

Catherine Hadro, host and managing editor of EWTNs Pro-Life Weekly

Claires heart-wrenching and inspiring story is exactly what our world needs today. She bears witness to the beauty and gift of every life, and the transforming power of forgiveness. We would all do well to learn from the story of Survivor and let Claires example convict and encourage us in the fight for life.

Lila Rose, president and founder of Live Action and author of Fighting for Life

The beauty of Claire Culwells story is that its not just about surviving an abortion; its about helping others survive toothrough unplanned pregnancies, difficult circumstances, and past regrets. While some might have been tempted to let the pain of what happened define them, Claire made a different choice. She allowed God to use her journey to bring a message of hope and healing to a country in desperate need of voices like hers. In a culture that wants us to believe miracles like Claire dont happen, she is living proof: every life has the potential to change the world.

Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council

As an abortion clinic director, I believed many things to be true. I believed abortions empowered women. I believed women had a right to abortion. I believed abortion was health care. I also believed many things to be untrue. I did not believe the pro-lifers who said that some women regretted their abortions. I did not believe them when they said that women could suffer long-term physical and emotional damage from abortion.

And there was one thing that I had never considered. I had never considered that a baby could actually survive an abortion procedure.

I remember the day I met Claire. My life had just been turned upside down because of my simple decision to quit my position at Planned Parenthood. I had been with the abortion giant for eight years and abruptly resigned from my position as clinic director after witnessing a live abortion procedure on an ultrasound monitor. I wasnt supposed to see what I saw. This tiny yet perfectly formed baby wasnt supposed to feel the suction tube as it entered the home that had been his place of safety for thirteen weeks. But when the tube touched his body, he jumped. He jumped as if he had been disturbed from a peaceful sleep. And when the powerful suction was turned on, I watched a gruesome tug-of-war begin. This baby was fighting so hard, moving his arms and legs, but the suction was simply too powerful. In just a matter of moments, the screen was black. The womb was empty. The jar was full. My life had been changed.

I left my job quietly, never planning to speak publicly about what I had seen. I sought help from the Coalition for Life, a local pro-life group who had been praying for me for all those years. They had always promised to help me find another job if I ever decided to walk away. But it had become more than that. It wasnt just about a job anymore. I had experienced a conversion. My heart of stone had become a heart of flesh. Christ had changed me and made me a new creation. I needed a new start, and I found that with my new friends at the Coalition for Life. I didnt want to speak. I wanted to slink away quietly and heal privately.

God had other plans. Several weeks later, I found myself in a court battle with Planned Parenthood, which then turned into a media firestorm I could never have imagined. After all, why would Planned Parenthood attempt to silence one of their directors? What do they have to hide? These were the questions I was being asked by all the major media networks across the world. I was overwhelmed by this new life, these new friends, these phone lines that would never stop ringing with reporters on the other end wanting to ask me questions that I didnt know how to answer.

And in the midst of this chaos, a quiet young woman walked into the Coalition for Life office with a piece of paper in her hand. She was greeted by one of the staff members, and I remember them asking, Do you want to meet Abby Johnson? In a sort of confused voice, Claire responded, Um, yeah, okay. I could tell she had no idea who I was. She hadnt seen the breaking news story on the local ten oclock news program. She probably didnt follow the Drudge Report. I was no celebrity to her.