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Why my birth parents tried to keep me a secret

Brendan Watkins discovered he was adopted when he was eight. He found his birth parents after decades of searching - it was then he realised why they tried to keep him a secret.

Brendan Watkins was just eight years old when he found out he was adopted. Although he didn't start to look for his birth parents until he was in his twenties, it would be a search that would go on for decades and reveal astonishing secrets. When he eventually learned the truth, Brendan began to understand why his birth parents had gone to such extreme lengths to hide that they'd ever had a child. Brendan is completing a memoir about his life experiences called Birthrights - it will be published in 2023 - for more information, go to: brendanwatkins.com.au

If you've been affected by any of the issues we've covered in this programme, you can find more information on the 大象传媒 Action line website, or at Befrienders.org

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: June Christie

(Photo: Brendan Watkins. Credit: Courtesy of SBS 'Every Family Has A Secret')

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41 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Jun 2022 02:06GMT

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  • Mon 20 Jun 2022 11:06GMT
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