By Melissa Ohden, Founder, The Abortion Survivors Network
Editor’s note. For most of us, Melissa Ohden is the face of a “failed abortion.” You may be aware of the CliffsNotes version of Melissa’s utterly breathtaking story, one that amazes me to this day. In 1977 she survived a saline infusion abortion, a technique that was so dangerous (to the mother) that it is virtually no longer used anywhere. She was adopted by a loving family who raised her as their own.
I stopped dead in my tracks in 2019 when a fellow pro-life leader posed that question at a restaurant. I knew what they were talking about—2019, the year that New York lit up pink in celebration of unrestricted abortion and the stripping of born-alive protections, led to breakthroughs in attention from Fox News.
Two episodes featured a panel of Josiah Presley, Claire Culwell, and me. I was interviewed by Fox News again after that, individually, and they also produced a documentary regarding abortion survivors that year. Since then, The Abortion Survivors Network and Fox News has worked successfully together to feature numerous survivors on programs and in print media.
Without skipping a beat, I boldly told my fellow pro-life colleague, “Because they always should have.”
To this day, I wonder if my remark seemed offensive, but the truth is, I meant it.
We know that media coverage is integral to reaching and informing people with stories and facts, regardless of whether it’s an election year. An important part of advancing the cause of life is elevating the voices of those whose experiences speak truth in dark places.
Amplifying those same voices who are also empowered with data and knowledge is a powerful tool that combats the lies, misinformation, and even silencing of these individuals.
There’s been considerable discussion after both the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates regarding Minnesota’s born-alive infant protection under the watch of pro-abortion Governor Tim Walz, now Kamala Harris’s running mate. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Co-Executive Director Cathy Blaeser explained the harsh reality:
“In 2023, Gov. Walz repealed Minnesota’s requirement that born-alive infants receive medically appropriate care that would save their lives. He also signed legislation establishing a policy of unlimited abortion throughout pregnancy. When confronted with these facts in the vice presidential debate, Walz chose to flagrantly lie about both. But his actions are now law and a matter of public record that everyone can see for themselves. Women and children deserve better than this extremism.”
Who could be more influential about Gov. Walz’s efforts, the most influential voices of truth, than abortion survivors? Yet, as powerful as our voices are, we need the media’s amplification to make a significant difference in our culture and elections.
I was grateful to join Rachel Campos-Duffy recently on Fox and Friends to discuss the issue in-depth. You can see that interview here: https://youtu.be/fn7Et4LNh-k
As you watch the clip, you’ll see that our interview took an unexpected but important turn. I’ll keep you posted on whether there’s any motion on the challenge and hope that Rachel shares.
