Paralympian Ellie Simmonds revealed she was adopted when she was three months old and has now been reunited with her birth mother.
The Strictly star, 28, has by no means revealed that she was adopted earlier and has mentioned that she decided to look for her final 12 months. blood relative after learning she was put up for adoption at just 10 days old.
Ellie, born with achondroplasia (dwarfism), was shocked to discover her mum wished she had died in childbirth after being told by medics that Ellie could be ridiculed and seen as ‘evil’ and ‘stupid’.
But that didn’t stop Ellie from looking for him.
She revealed that the pair had an emotional five-hour first meeting and are still in touch and rekindling their relationship.
Adopted: Ellie Simmonds revealed she was adopted when she was reunited with her birth mother despite wanting her child to “die at birth” after being born with dwarfism.
In a brand new ITV documentary, she mentioned: “It has in no way surprised me emotionally, it has in no way made me feel left out or why my mum and dad didn’t need me.
“I’m so focused on the future and I never think about it.”
Ellie has generally spoken of her dad and mum Val and Steve as her biggest supporters, but has never revealed how the couple, who have 4 different children, adopted her as a child.
The swimmer was able to observe her hospital records with the help of a specialist social worker and was shocked by the medical notes made during the birth.
A fact sheet given to her midwife says that children with dwarfism “have to deal with being looked at and laughed at by other children. Indeed, there are people of normal height who equate short height with evil and stupidity.
As reported A mirror, Ellie commented, “Can you imagine reading that and thinking, ‘That’s my kid?’ In a way, I understand if you don’t know anything about disability and get this. You will be afraid.
After reading the notes, Ellie was so discouraged that she almost gave up on the search, but decided to persevere and discovered that her birth mother lived nearby.
The pair exchanged letters before they met, and Ellie was left in tears as she read a note from her mother, which read: “I’ve suffered from guilt and self-loathing because I wasn’t strong enough to face it.”
“I cannot express the happiness I feel knowing that your parents and siblings have created such a loving environment for you to be so happy. You have achieved so much.
Shocking: Ellie was born with achondroplasia (dwarfism) and was shocked to discover her mother wished she had died at birth after doctors told her Ellie would be ridiculed.
Heartbreaking: An information sheet given to her mother claimed that children with dwarfism “have to deal with other children looking at them and laughing at them” (Ellie pictured as a child)
Proud: Ellie has usually spoken of her dad and mum Val and Steve as her biggest supporters, but has never previously revealed how the couple, who have 4 different children, adopted her as a child (pictured at the 2012 Olympics)
Memory: Ellie has previously spoken about her blissful childhood with her adopted mum and dad. She did not specify when she discovered she was adopted
Ellie, determined to protect her biological mom’s ID, then bought a chance to satisfy her individually and mentioned feeling “heeled” figuring out where she got here from.
Reflecting on the “amazing” encounter, she said:We howled with laughter, now we have an identical sense of humor. I looked at her and thought, “Wow, that’s my mom.”
“I thought her face was the same as mine. It touched my heart that she said she thinks about me every day and still thinks of me as her daughter.
“It’s helped me understand who I am, looking at someone who gave birth to me, the nature I come from, it makes you feel a little more whole.”
Ellie has previously spoken about her blissful childhood with her adoptive mum and dad. She did not specify when she discovered she was adopted.
Although her three siblings should not have this genetic condition, her sister Cathy, who is 5 years older than her, also has achondroplasia. Ellie has not disclosed if her siblings are additionally adopted.
Although she was small compared to her friends, childhood was not affected by this, and he was engaged in using ponies, ballet dances and school performances.
What is achondroplasia?
Achondroplasia is a form of short-legged dwarfism. The phrase achondroplasia actually means “without cartilage formation.” However, the problem should not be with the formation of cartilage, but with its transformation into bones, especially the long bones of the legs and arms.
All people with achondroplasia have rapid growth. The total height of an adult male with achondroplasia is 1.20 meters, and 1.20 meters for an adult female.
Characteristic features of achondroplasia include a reasonably sized torso, quick legs and arms with significantly higher arms and thighs, limited elbow motion, and an enlarged head with a prominent brow.
The fingers are often fast, and the ring finger and middle finger can diverge, giving the palm a trident appearance.
Health problems commonly associated with achondroplasia include episodes where breathing slows or stops briefly (apnea), weight problems, and recurrent ear infections.
Source: nih.gov.
“I grew up with average height parents and they always made sure I was surrounded by other people with dwarfism,” she mentioned in the BBC documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism.
“There was never a moment in my life when I thought, ‘I want to be tall, 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 friendships, the people I meet along the way.”
She fell in love with swimming when she was 5, and three years later was competing at the same pace as her able-bodied friends, telling the Daily Mail in 2012: “I just wanted to keep up with my friends, so I even worked out. harder.”
When she was just 11 years old, Ellie and her mum moved to Swansea so she could train in the 50m pool with coach Billy Pye.
Meanwhile, Ellie’s father, Steve, and her siblings stayed at the house in Varsal, and he or she traveled back and forth for vacations.
After watching Neary Lewis (now Kindred) of Wales win gold in the 100m backstroke in Athens in 2004, Ellie began training three hours a day, six days a week.
Ellie’s dad and mom wore T-shirts with her face on them as they watched Ellie break the world’s coverage of the 2012 London Olympics.
After she got her historical past, her father Steve instructed Business Live: “It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen her do.
He added: “All the British athletes were seriously loud. It was an unreal atmosphere. I think the encouragement from the crowd will have made the difference.
Ellie’s mum Val added: “You want to give your children the best possible chance. It will definitely pay off. I was shaking the whole race. Only in the last 20 meters were we sure that she would win.
Ellie has previously spoken about her desire to have children with her partner Matt, who also has achondroplasia.
Asked earlier if they should take their genetics into account for the children, Ellie told The Daily Mail: “Yes, and you don’t know what you’re going to get. You could have a child who is a dwarf or an average child.
“We could get a double dose. You just don’t know. However, I would like to have children in the future and I know that I would love this child no matter what, just like my parents loved me.
“You won’t know when that baby will grow inside of you until you’ve tested.”
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family, ITV1, Thursday 6 July, 9pm.
Appearance: Ellie has become a major star in the past with dwarfism appearing on Strictly Come Dancing (pictured with Nikita Kuzmin, last 12 months)
The couple: Ellie has previously spoken about wanting to have her own children with her partner Matt, who also has achondroplasia (pictured supporting Ellie on Strictly).
