Ellie Simmonds defends mother for giving her up for adoption

Ellie Simmons came out in defence of her birth mother for giving her up for adoption after she was born with dwarfism. The 28-year-old revealed previously this month that she was adopted when she was only three months old.

The Strictly star also added that she has now been reunited with her birth mother after she made the decision to look for her birth family last year when she found out she had been given up when she was just ten days old.

She was devastated to find out that her birth mother had wished she would die as she was born with achondroplasia and doctors informed her that Ellie would be ostracized and seen as “stupid.”

However, Ellie says she understands why her birth mother made the decision as there was significant misinformation at that time about caring for a disabled child. Speaking to The Guardian about her documentary which focuses on adoption, she said: “When you've just had a baby, you're vulnerable, you're emotional, there's a lot you're feeling."

She continued. "To find out the child's got a disability, and then to be given this information … You are fearful. It's that unknown. Even now, a child with a disability, you're told they're expensive, they need more support. I put myself in her shoes. From the records, she was going through a lot mentally – I know more now – and she was on her own. Yes, I was upset, but I was also open to it.”