Roots and Branches Ep 39: The Day I was Told I wasn't Real

At seven years old, Charmaine Carey heard words that would shape the rest of her life.The day her adoptive parents brought home their biological son from the hospital, Charmaine sat excitedly waiting to meet her new baby brother. Instead, her adoptive father sat her down and told her she had not grown in her mother’s tummy, that the new baby was their “real” child, and that adoption would never be spoken about again.Until that moment, Charmaine had no idea she was adopted.That single conversation shattered her sense of identity and belonging. Suddenly she felt different, unwanted, and invisible inside her own family.When Charmaine returned to school and began asking classmates questions about adoption, she became isolated and bullied. At home, she experienced emotional abuse and neglect. Christmases became painful reminders that her brother mattered more. She watched another adopted girl at school being openly loved and supported by her family, which made her question why her own experience was so different.As Charmaine grew older, the damage followed her into adulthood. Feeling unworthy of love, she found herself repeatedly drawn into abusive relationships that mirrored the emotional pain of her childhood. For years, she believed she had to do whatever it took to be accepted and loved.Five years ago, Charmaine finally left her last abusive relationship and began the difficult process of healing.Today, she is passionate about helping adoptees and adoptive families better understand the hidden trauma children may carry. She believes adoptees need safe spaces to talk openly about identity, rejection, abandonment, and self-worth without fear of shame or silence.In this emotional episode of Roots and Branches Adoption Stories, Charmaine shares her deeply personal journey through trauma, survival, and healing — and explains why words spoken to children can leave lifelong scars.Hosted by Janet Munro on K-PHRED Radio.#Adoption #AdopteeVoices #AdoptionTrauma #RootsAndBranches #Healing #MentalHealth #FosterCare #ChildhoodTrauma #Identity #AdoptionStories