Olivia Maurel, born from surrogacy and PhD Bernard Garcia on Croatian TV (Casablanca Declaration)

Olivia Maurel, a Franco-American born from surrogacy, now an anti-surrogacy activist, spokeswoman of the Declaration of Casablanca, shares her personal testimony on the quest for identity and all the dangers that surrogacy entails. Bernard Garcia Larrain, doctor of law and coordinator of the Casbablanca Declaration, explains why the global dimension of the surrogacy market requires a response and an international commitment from States. http://declaration-surrogacy-casablan... "I was born 32 years ago in Louisville, Kentucky. I grew up between Florida and France because my mother is French. My parents never told me that I was born through surrogacy. They always kept it a secret, we didn't talk about it...I always knew in my heart that something was wrong." "You don't know where you come from. I always say, 'If the foundation of your house is not strong, it will be destroyed.' That's how I felt. My family's foundation was not good and I had problems with personal growth. I was always looking for my mother within. The maternal role was played by my commissioning mother, and she was never my mother. I was always looking for a motherly role and I was trying to fill that void. Unfortunately, this led me to drugs, alcohol, medication abuse and many other things that were not good. But I I got through it. I met my husband, had children and things got better. Today I know how much surrogacy affects a child because I experienced it .I know how difficult it is for a child not to know where they come from, and I also know how much it affects a woman because I am a woman and a mother. The bond we have with our children is important , I have experienced it three times, I have three children. You only discover the importance of this connection when you become a mother. It’s terrible to destroy that connection.”