Ellie Simmonds has left viewers 'astounded' as her new documentary aired on ITV. The gold medal-winning swimmer recorded her journey to reunite with her birth mother in the film after sharing how she'd been adopted when she was just 10 days old.
Ellie only shared the news publically last week ahead of the release of her documentary on Thursday night (July 6). During her sporting career, the five-time Paralympic champion has talked about her parents as her biggest supporters but never before revealed how the couple, who have four other children, adopted her as a baby.
However, she shared that when "questions started to bubble up" she decided to go in search of answers, beginning with photos and documents that her parents, of Aldridge, West Midlands, had kept for her. She said: "Until now, it’s never emotionally affected me, it never made me feel rejected or ask why do my birth parents not want me. I’ve been so focused on the future and never thought about it."
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During the documentary, titled Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family, viewers saw 28-year-old Ellie having to read some tough documents before connecting with her biological parent - whose identity Ellie is keeping private.
With the help of a specialist social worker, Ellie, who was named Eleanor at birth, first got hold of the files relating to her birth which confirmed that days after she was born, the hospital revealed Ellie had achondroplasia.
An information sheet given to her birth mother warned how her daughter would have a "large skull and depressed nasal bridge" and that children with her condition "tend to be muscular and acrobatic, which is perhaps the reason for them traditionally being involved in the circus and other forms of theatre".
The form continued: “Children have to deal with being stared at and laughed at by other children. Indeed, there are those with normal height who equate short stature with evil and stupidity.” Ellie said in response: "Can you imagine reading that and thinking, ‘That’s my child’? In a way, I understand, when you don’t know anything about the disability and you get this. You’re going to be scared."
The star also learned her birth mother originally wished Ellie had died at birth or had an abortion upon receiving the medical document. After reading the document, a stunned Ellie said: "She knew something was different about me and that letter was given to her saying things like ‘evil, circus.’ Gosh that was 28 years ago, it wasn't that long ago and that language was used."
In response to the tough scenes, viewers flocked to social media to comment. "Watching #elliesimmonds. ASTOUNDED by the wording on the information sheet her birth parents were given. Children with dwarfism described as "stupid" and "evil". Suited for careers in the circus! This wasn't 100 years ago, it was in the 1990s!! Good grief!!" one said.
Another said: "Watching #elliesimmonds documentary & it is so heartbreaking. Also, the fact she was born in 1994 & the medical sheet her birth parents got about people with dwarfism. Like they are "stupid" and "evil" & would be in the circus. Truly disgusting."
Following the doc airing, Ellie thanked fans for the messages of support. The former Strictly Come Dancing star also thanked those involved in the film who had helped “shed a light into disability and adoption."
Posting on Instagram, Ellie wrote: “Just want to say thank you so much to everyone for the messages and support I’ve received since opening up about my story and the lead up to the documentary. But my biggest thanks goes to everyone who helped make the doc what it is.
"Thank you to Jas, Colleen, Glesni, Jo Clinton Davis, @arthursbearnecessities @jonolanc, Essex Social workers and everyone else (I wish the doc could have been longer so people could hear your story too) who I chatted to who allowed me into their lives and family home to help shed a light into disability and adoption.
“If you’re adopted or fostering and need support, there’s some amazing charities and people to help, such as @adopteefutures and @adoption.uk."
