Viewers 'heartbroken' as 'inspirational' Ellie Simmonds explores adoption story

The swimming star opened up in the programme Finding My Secret Family

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
Updated ·2-min read
Gold medalist Ellie Simmonds sets out to find her birth mother in a new ITV documentary, where she tries to learn why her birth parents gave her up after just two weeks.
Ellie Simmonds sets out to find her birth mother in the documentary. (ITV)

Ellie Simmonds fans were left sobbing as they watched the moment the Paralympian learned that her birth parents were warned she’d be seen as "evil" because of her disability.

The swimming champ – who has achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism – explored her past and how she came to be put up for adoption as a baby in ITV programme Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family.

One scene sees the gold medallist, 28, shown an outdated information sheet about her condition that was given to her birth mother.

Read more: Ellie Simmonds thanks fans for support after airing of ITV documentary

"Children will have to deal with being stared at and laughed at by other children, indeed there are those with normal height who equate those of short stature with evil and stupidity,” she read.

A Flicker Production ELLIE SIMMONDS: MY SECRET FAMILY Coming soon to ITV1 Pictured Ellie Simmonds aholding a pictures of herself as a baby Multiple gold medal winning Paralympian, Ellie Simmonds explores the relationship between disability and adoption in a brand new hour-long documentary Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family a raw and emotional journey of personal discovery for ITV. In this thought-provoking documentary, Ellie follows her own adoption journey as she tracks down her birth mother who gave her up for adoption when she was two weeks old. Ellie spends time with families who adopted Disabled children, hears deeply personal stories from Disabled people who tried to find their birth parents, only to be rejected again and highlights the amazing work of social services teams around the UK. Ellie explores barriers on both sides of the adoptive process – both social and institutional – and asks if we are perpetuating an unfounded stigma around having Disabled children. From probing the existence of in-built systemic bias from the moment of birth, to a lack of awareness, Ellie’s mission is to investigate and unravel this complex issue. (C) Flicker Productions For further information please contact Peter Gray Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) *** and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned herein. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Ellie Simmonds holding a picture of herself as a baby. (ITV)

“Oh, wow. Blinking, Nora. Evil and stupid?” she asked in shock.

Viewers who had tuned in to the programme said it was “heartbreaking” and that Simmonds was an “inspiration”.

“I sobbed with her, what a truly inspirational doc, such a wonderful lady,” one tweeted.

Read more: Ellie Simmonds' birth parents were told she'd be seen as 'evil' because of disability

“What a brave and strong young lady,” said another.

Someone else commented: “I think Ellie Simmonds, you must have had the whole nation in tears... what an emotional story, told beautifully by yourself.

"Thank you so much for letting us in to your life like that.”

A Flicker Production ELLIE SIMMONDS: MY SECRET FAMILY Coming soon to ITV1 Pictured Ellie Simmonds Multiple gold medal winning Paralympian, Ellie Simmonds explores the relationship between disability and adoption in a brand new hour-long documentary Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family a raw and emotional journey of personal discovery for ITV. In this thought-provoking documentary, Ellie follows her own adoption journey as she tracks down her birth mother who gave her up for adoption when she was two weeks old. Ellie spends time with families who adopted Disabled children, hears deeply personal stories from Disabled people who tried to find their birth parents, only to be rejected again and highlights the amazing work of social services teams around the UK. Ellie explores barriers on both sides of the adoptive process – both social and institutional – and asks if we are perpetuating an unfounded stigma around having Disabled children. From probing the existence of in-built systemic bias from the moment of birth, to a lack of awareness, Ellie’s mission is to investigate and unravel this complex issue. (C) Flicker Productions For further information please contact Peter Gray Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com This photograph is (C) *** and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned herein. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
Viewers were moved by Ellie Simmonds' documentary. (ITV)

“Thank you for sharing with everyone your heartbreaking story,” tweeted another viewer.

“I won't lie it made me cry but I am glad I watched it.”

“Incredibly heartbreaking life story Ellie,” said another fan.

Read more: Ellie Simmonds' birth mother discovered who she was watching Paralympics

“So glad you pushed through all the hurdles life has thrown at you and come out stronger and more determined to be an incredible role model for so many aspiring Paralympians and women.”

As well as winning gold medals at the Paralympics and World Championships, Simmonds received an MBE at 14 and now has an OBE.

Watch: Ellie Simmonds' birth parents were warned she'd be seen as 'evil' because of her disability

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