"Shattered Child" by Sumie Filmer

SHATTERED CHILD: I was born in Sri-Lanka in 1973. I was adopted and brought to Australia with my presumed biological sister in 1976. My story is one of strength, courage, and sadness, of a girl trying to fit in somewhere in this world. Adopted twice and then removed from a home twice, I was physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually abused. I was bullied as a child and attacked as a teenager. I had great things happen to me and I had the worst. I tried to be strong and sometimes I tried to give up. I was lost in my own world and at times could see no way out of it. I found support in very few people, and the ones who I thought should have supported me were the ones who hurt me the most. My trust in people vanished. When I no longer lived in the family home, I found people who supported me. I had to learn to trust that they wouldn't hurt me and that they in fact loved me, scars and all. I had to become a strong, independent woman and learn to live my life the way I wanted to, and understand that no one has the right to harm me in any shape or form. I wrote this memoir in anticipation of people reading it and seeing that there is hope for those who have struggled or are still struggling in their lives. Take each day as it comes, the good and the bad.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sumie Filmer is now in her early fifties, happily married to the man who changed her life. She and her husband live in Queensland, Australia, and together they have two adult children in their late twenties. Though her earlier years were marked by deep pain and sadness, and she continues to have difficult days, a diagnosis of complex PTSD and anxiety has given her clarity. It helped her understand that her thoughts and emotions are shaped by the trauma she experienced. Healing remains an ongoing process, but the unwavering support of her loving husband, close friends, and a dedicated therapist has played a significant role in her journey forward. “Shattered Child” is her writing debut.

LEARN MORE about Sumie Filmer and her work: https://sumiefilmerauthor.com/

 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• Childhood Trauma and Abuse – Adoption, abandonment, and prolonged abuse shaped Sumie’s early life and the core of her memoir.

• Survival and Resilience – She describes coping through small acts like stretching food, singing, and dancing, which helped her endure extreme circumstances.

• Healing and Mental Health – A suicide attempt, later therapy, and a complex PTSD diagnosis marked turning points in her emotional recovery.

• Trust and Relationships – Gradually rebuilding trust through safe relationships, especially with her husband, while acknowledging her struggle with forgiveness.

• Purpose and Impact of the Memoir – Written to give voice to survivors, call out systemic failures, and inspire hope; readers have reached out in gratitude.

 

CONNECT WITH SUMIE FILMER!

Website: https://sumiefilmerauthor.com/

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook, Shattered Child - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?

id=61570987663484

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shatteredchild/