Paralympic athlete Ellie Simmonds has announced that she was adopted at the age of three months and is now reunited with her birth mother.
The 28-year-old Strictly star has never revealed she’s been adopted before and said she decided last year to search for her blood family after finding out she was just ten days had been put up for adoption.
Born with achondroplasia (dwarfism), Ellie was devastated to learn her mother wished she had died in childbirth after doctors told her Ellie would be mocked and seen as “evil” and “stupid”. .
But that didn’t stop Ellie from wanting to find her.
She revealed the couple had an emotional five-hour first meeting and are still in touch and rebuilding their relationship.
Adopted: Ellie Simmonds has revealed she has been adopted as she is reunited with her birth mother, although she said she wishes her baby would die in childbirth after being born with dwarfism
She said in a new ITV documentary: “Until now it’s never touched me emotionally, I’ve never felt rejected or questioned why my birth parents don’t want me.”
“I was so focused on the future and never thought about it.”
Ellie has often spoken about her parents Val and Steve as her biggest supporters, but never before revealed how the couple, who have four other children, adopted her when she was a baby.
With the help of a specialized social worker, the swimmer was able to locate her hospital records and was horrified by the medical records that were kept on her at birth.
A fact sheet given to her biological mother says that children with dwarfism “have to deal with being stared at and laughed at by other children.” In fact, there are people of normal height who equate short stature with evil and stupidity.”
As reported by The Mirror, Ellie remarked, “Can you imagine reading this and thinking, ‘This is my kid?'” In a way, I understand if you don’t know about the disability and you get that. You will be scared.’
After reading the notes, Ellie was so discouraged that she almost gave up her search, but decided to persevere and discovered that her biological mother lived nearby.
Before meeting, the two exchanged letters, and Ellie tearfully read her mother’s note, which read, “I’ve suffered from guilt and self-loathing because I wasn’t strong enough to deal with it.”
“I can’t put into words the joy I feel knowing that your parents and siblings have provided you with such a loving environment that you are so happy.’ You have accomplished so much.’
Shocking: Ellie was born with achondroplasia (dwarfism) and was devastated to learn her mother wished she had died in childbirth after doctors told her Ellie was being ridiculed
Proud: Ellie has often spoken of her parents Val and Steve as her biggest supporters, but never before revealed how the couple, who have four other children, adopted her as a baby (pictured at the 2012 Olympics)
Ellie, who has decided to protect the identity of her birth mother, then had the opportunity to meet her in person and said she feels “more whole” knowing where she’s from.
Recalling the “amazing” meeting, she said, “We cried with laughter, we have the same sense of humor.” I kept looking at her and I was like, “Wow, that’s my mom.”
“I felt like her face was just like mine.” What touched my heart was that she said she thinks of me every day and still sees me as her daughter.
“It helps to find out who I am. Looking at someone who gave birth to me, at the nature I come from, makes you a bit more holistic.”
Ellie has previously spoken about her happy childhood with her adoptive parents. She did not say when she found out she was adopted.
Although small compared to her friends, this did not affect her childhood and she went on pony rides, ballet and acted in school plays.
What is achondroplasia?
Achondroplasia is a form of short-limbed dwarfism. The word achondroplasia literally means “without cartilage formation”. However, the problem is not with the formation of cartilage, but with its conversion into bone, particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs.
All people with achondroplasia are short in stature. The average adult male height with achondroplasia is 1.20 m and the average adult female height is 1.20 m.
Characteristic features of achondroplasia are an average-sized trunk, short arms and legs with particularly short upper arms and thighs, restricted mobility at the elbows, and an enlarged head with a protruding forehead.
The fingers are typically short, and the ring finger and middle finger may diverge, giving the hand a three-pronged (trident) appearance.
Health problems commonly associated with achondroplasia include episodes in which breathing slows or stops for short periods (apnea), obesity, and recurrent ear infections.
Source: nih.gov.
“I grew up with average sized parents and they always made sure I was surrounded by other people with dwarfism,” she said on the BBC documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism.
“There’s never been a time in my life where I’ve been like, ‘I want to be big, I want to be different.'”
“It’s given me some of the most amazing things like representing my country, going to the Paralympics and the friendship, the people I meet along the way.”
She fell in love with swimming at the age of five and three years later was running at the same pace as her able-bodied peers. She told the Chron in 2012, ‘I just wanted to keep up with my friends, so I worked even harder.’
When she was just 11, Ellie and her mother moved to Swansea so she could train in a 50m swimming pool with coach Billy Pye.
Meanwhile, Ellie’s father, Steve, and her siblings stayed at the family home in Warsall, and she traveled back and forth to visit them on the weekends.
Ellie devoted herself to the sport after watching Nyree Lewis (now Kindred) of Wales win gold in the 100m backstroke in Athens 2004 and Ellie began to exercise, three hours a day, six days a week train.
Ellie’s parents wore t-shirts with her face on as they watched Ellie break the world record at the London 2012 Olympics.
After making history, her father Steve told Business Live, “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen of her.”
He added: “There was a very loud noise for all the British athletes.” It was an unreal atmosphere. I think the audience response will have made a difference.”
Ellie’s mother, Val, added, “You want to give your kids the best possible opportunity.” That’s definitely rewarding. I was shaking the whole race. It wasn’t until the last 20 meters that we were confident that she would win.”
Ellie has previously spoken to her partner Matt, who also has achondroplasia, about wanting to have children of her own.
When asked if they had to consider their genetics with children, Ellie told The Chron: “Yes and you don’t know what you would get.” They could have a child who is a midget or a child who is average Size.
“We could get a double dose.” You just don’t know. However, I would love to have children in the future and I know that I would definitely love that child as my parents loved me.
“You don’t know when the baby is growing in you until you have a test.”
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family, ITV1, Thursday 6 July 9pm.
Portrayal: Ellie made history as the first star with dwarfism to appear on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with Nikita Kuzmin last year)
Couple: Ellie has previously spoken to her partner Matt, who also has achondroplasia, about wanting to have children of her own (pictured supporting Ellie on Strictly)