Ellie Simmonds’ Birth Mother Reveals Heartbreaking Reasons for Adoption in Emotional Call
In a heartfelt telephone conversation, Ellie Simmonds‘ biological mother shares the reasons behind her decision to relinquish Ellie for adoption, which is featured in her latest documentary.
In 2023, the Strictly contestant, aged 28, disclosed for the first time that she was adopted at just three months old. Remarkably, she has since reconnected with her birth mother.
A year prior, she discovered that she was adopted at birth, and it was then that she resolved to seek out her biological family.
Ellie, who was born with dwarfism due to achondroplasia, felt distraught upon learning that her mother regretted her birth, as she had been informed by doctors that Ellie would face ridicule and be viewed as both evil and stupid.
In her initial documentary series titled “Finding My Secret Family,” Ellie shared personal details. Her subsequent work, however, titled “Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?”, delves into a different aspect, focusing on whether or not Ellie is considering having children of her own.
Next week, I can hardly contain my excitement as I eagerly await the upcoming episode! Over the phone with my mom, I find myself consumed by curiosity, asking, “Could you tell me about the moment when you decided to give me up for adoption? I’m so intrigued to understand that choice of yours.

‘For her it was 30 years ago, but it’s quite a sensitive, super emotional situation.’
In response, her biological mother (whose identity is not revealed) said, “It’s truly distressing. I understand it might be tough for you to listen. I have no intention of causing any discomfort whatsoever.
At this moment in your life, it might not be the best time for you to make decisions, as you have recently given birth. Your body is going through significant changes, and your hormones could be unstable, affecting both your physical and mental well-being. It may be wise to postpone major decisions until you feel more settled and balanced.
As a guardian of a closely-held secret, I navigated through an intricate maze of events that lay concealed in the shadows. I chose to bear this new life within me privately, and when the moment arrived, I welcomed it into the world alone. Subsequently, I sought the expertise of a geneticist, yet her demeanor was brusque, leaving me with a sense of discomfort amidst the profound journey that lay ahead.
She told me, “Here it is, that’s what your child will resemble.” In that moment, I recall feeling overwhelmed and wishing for something miraculous, like a magic wand.
As I gazed upon you, all I seemed to focus on was your unique abilities, a perspective that truly challenged me. Despite this, I found myself wrestling with the situation, yearning for what I believed could have been. The choice I made, to let go of the idea of who I thought you should be, was the most significant decision I’ve ever had to face.
Giving up my biological child was a profound experience. In a sense, I simply placed them in your care, but the impact of such an action lingers forever. The burden of guilt is constant and overwhelming.


Following our encounter, I couldn’t help but reflect on her demeanor. It appeared as though she carried a heavy burden of guilt for quite some time. Truly heartbreaking.
Society often places immense expectations upon mothers. It’s astonishing how truthful and transparent she remains. I believe that the apprehension people have about disabilities is, in reality, a reflection of their own inner fears.
In the year 2023, as I debuted my first documentary, I shared my insight on why my birth mother made the choices she did, largely due to the incorrect information that was prevalent at the time regarding the high costs associated with caring for a child with special needs.
Before the airing of her adoption-themed documentary, she shared with The Guardian that “new mothers are open, sensitive, and experiencing a whirlwind of emotions.
Upon learning about the child’s disability, it’s natural to feel apprehensive, especially when confronted with the unfamiliar. The realization that this child requires additional resources and may be costly can add to your concerns.
I tried to imagine what she might be feeling since I’ve learned she was dealing with significant mental stress, and as it turns out, she was going through this alone. While I felt disappointed, I was also receptive to understanding her situation better.
During our conversation, she shared her experiences when she initially encountered her biological mother for the very first time.
Initially, Ellie admitted that she was extremely anxious, but once they met, they immediately embraced and shed tears before conversing non-stop for a full five hours.


Apart from praising herself, she couldn’t help but express heartfelt appreciation for her adoptive parents, Val and Steve Simmonds. She mentioned that they raised her with great positivity and were always supportive and welcoming of who she truly is.
Ellie expressed: “Without my parents, I wouldn’t be the swimmer or the individual I am now. They provided the chance for me to embark on this path.
In her ITV documentary, she mentioned that up until then, neither emotional impact nor a sense of rejection or questioning why her birth parents didn’t want her had ever touched her.
‘I’ve been so focused on the future and never thought about it.’
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2025-05-23 03:25