Ellie Simmonds reveals how she agonises whether to have children - as she fears passing on the genes that gave her dwarfism
Ellie Simmonds has taken on the agonising decision about whether or not she should have children - exploring the complications of passing on a fatal version of dwarfism.
The five-time Paralympic gold medallist, will look at why she might have to genetically engineer a foetus in her latest project for ITV called Ellie Simmonds: Should I have children?
The OBE and MBE will also consider the issues facing parents who are told their children will be born with disabilities.
Ms Simmonds, 30, has the least impaired version of achondroplasia (the official name for dwarfism) and her life has certainly been one of vast achievement.
From winning two golds aged 13 at the 2008 Beijing Games, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, and becoming a sports pundit, her disability hasn't held her back.
But her dwarfism is relevant to any future decisions when it comes to starting a family because, as she says, 'I already know that gene changes led to my dwarfism and if I started a family, there would be a chance that I'd pass it on.'
'There could be complications with the spine, bowing of the legs, which can lead to reduced walking,' she explained to The Times.
In the past six months, Ms Simmonds has visited a clinical geneticist who specialises in achondroplasia.
In her latest project, the OBE and MBE will consider the issues facing parents who are told their children will be born with disabilities
The geneticist, Dr Melita Irving, advises on pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), a technique that identifies genetic defects in embryos before they are transferred to the uterus.
Parents who choose to use PGT must commit to only a 'normal' embryo being placed back in the uterus.
That means if a couple with dwarfism chose to do this, their baby would not have dwarfism.
Ms Simmonds is currently single, living alone in her north London flat after breaking up with Matt Dean, who also had achondroplasia.
She has done a fertility test, which showed it is good and in the documentary confesses that she is unsure about whether or not to have children.
Like most women in their thirties, she considers whether she will freeze her eggs, be a mother or even adopt, just as she was adopted by a loving family near Walsall.
'My indecision is more about being a woman than about my disability,' she said.
If Simmonds were to parent with an average-sized partner, their baby would have a 50 per cent chance of having achondroplasia.
But if her partner also had achondroplasia. There would be a 25 per cent chance of an average-sized child
There would then be a 50 per cent chance (the same odds as with an average-sized partner) of what is medically referred to as 'single dose dwarfism', which Ms Simmonds has.
And a 25 per cent chance of 'double dose dwarfism', from which foetuses or babies do not develop or survive.
For someone that is so proud to be a part of the disabled community, the decision to undertake PGT to prevent the possibly devastating outcome of 'double dose' dwarfism is an impossible dilemma.
'It would depend if [the father] was an individual with dwarfism or a non-disabled person,' she said.
'I'd never heard of PGT before now. But now I feel educated. I know it's there for me [if I want it] and to prevent the trauma of a double dose.'
In 2023, Ms Simmonds released a documentary where she tracked down her birth mother - it was so powerful the film won a Bafta.
Her birth mother, who was badly served by post-natal care, gave Ms Simmonds to her adoptive parents at just 10 days old in Aldridge near Walsall.
Ms Simmonds has now built a relationship with her birth mother and is a powerful advocate for disability rights, who is entering her thirties as a powerful woman.
During her stint on Strictly Come Dancing she wanted to inspire others, aiming to give more representation to the dwarfism community.
At the time, the athlete praised her partner Nikita for helping to dispel myths that dance isn't for everyone.
And for 'changing lives' of viewers with disabilities who may have believed that they couldn't dance.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Moment Just Eat rider throws food delivery onto train on track above after it was stranded in sweltering heat
Unbelievable footage has shown the moment a Just Eat rider threw a food delivery up to a train stranded on the tracks during the UK's hottest day so far. The video, captured yesterday, showed the food delivery driver come to the rescue of desperate passengers stuck on a Thameslink service heading for Brighton. The train, which had stopped moving, left many onboard feeling as though they were being 'slow cooked' in 'an oven' amid the sizzling 34C heat. Assisting the parched travellers, the Just Eat rider is shown standing on the ground with an orange bag full of bottled water, which he carefully aims up at the train which is stuck still on a bridge above him. The stranded passengers scream in delight each time the man successfully throws a bottle within catching distance as they helplessly stand still at the open train doors during the heatwave. When the man's aim fails to reach the commuters, the bottled water hits the bridge wall and plummets to the ground. Taking to social media platform X to respond to the astonishing video, one commenter joked: 'I hope they tipped him well' while another quipped: 'not all heroes wear capes'. Three trains were stopped yesterday due to faults that impacted more than 1,800 commuters, with a series of images showing one service heading south through London being evacuated during the scorching heat. The train, which had stopped moving, left many onboard feeling as though they were being 'slow cooked' in 'an oven' amid the sizzling 34C heat. In the footage shared to X, the stranded passengers scream in delight each time the man successfully throws a bottle within catching distance as they helplessly stand still at the open train doors during the heatwave One enraged commuter onboard a stranded train wrote on social media: '[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. 'The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked.' The operator confirmed on a social media post that their services were facing issues, and have since apologised to the passengers who were affected. They first posted: 'Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident.' Later, the rail company added that 'services across the network' were 'experiencing significant disruption'. Meanwhile, another passenger reported being stuck on a 'rammed' service to Brighton between Elephant and Castle and Loughborough Junction. Adding that they believed it was a medical accident 'waiting to happen', they also questioned why there was 'no air con' or windows that could be opened on the service. However, despite passengers' fury, Thameslink posted on X that anyone stuck should not attempt to leave the train. They said: 'If you're stuck on a train which isn't moving, please remain where you are and don't make any attempt to leave the train unless instructed to.' A Thameslink spokesperson told MailOnline yesterday that they were 'truly sorry' to the passengers affected. They said: 'Earlier today, a fault on a train near Loughborough Junction brought all services to a halt in the area, three of them outside station platforms. 'Without power and air conditioning on such a hot day, we pulled all resources from across Sussex and Kent to get personnel on site to safely evacuate passengers as quickly as possible along the track. 'This would have been a difficult and uncomfortable experience for our passengers and we are truly sorry. With safety our top priority, the safest place was to remain on the trains while we worked our hardest to get help to those on board. 'There is engineering work taking place today, which means this is the only route Thameslink trains can take south out of London and severe disruption is expected for the rest of the afternoon. 'Anyone travelling south of London is currently advised to use Southern services from Victoria but you should check the latest travel advice at 'Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more are also entitled to compensation, with details on our website.' The sizzling sun came after experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London (LSHTM) forecast that around 570 people could die due to the heat over the four days Pictured: Commuters squeeze onto a London Underground tube, June 21 A British Transport Police spokesperson also added: 'Officers were called to Loughborough Junction Railway Station at just before 11am today (June 21) to reports of a train broken down nearby. 'Officers assisted Thameslink and Network Rail and all passengers have been evacuated safely.' Yesterday Britain was as hot as the likes of Barbados and Corfu, alongside hotter than Barcelona and Lisbon. The record-breaking high was measured in the village of Charlwood in Surrey - meaning Brits there enjoyed sun hotter than in both Tenerife and Ibiza. The popular holiday destinations saw comparatively measly 28C and 30C peaks respectively yesterday, according to available, according to Met Office data. Meanwhile today 'fresher' and 'breezy' conditions swept in after thunderstorms swept across parts of the country overnight, including north England and south-east Scotland as the UK still feels the effects of the latest heatwave. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. The sizzling sun came after experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London (LSHTM) forecast that around 570 people could die due to the heat over the four days. The sizzling sun came after experts at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Imperial College London (LSHTM) forecast that around 570 people could die due to the heat over the four days (Pictured: people enjoy the warm weather on a beech in Dorset on June 22 The excess deaths were estimated to peak at 266 on Saturday when the heat will be at its most intense. London was predicted to have the greatest number of excess deaths with 129. During 2022's heatwave, temperatures rose past 40C, leading to 320 people being treated in hospital. Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk - it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities'. According to Network Rail, Britain's railways are more likely to buckle during a heatwave given the tracks are made from steel. They explained: ' When Britain enjoys a summer heatwave, rails in direct sunshine can be as much as 20°C hotter than air temperature. 'Because rails are made from steel, they expand as they get hotter, and can start to curve. This is known as "buckling". 'Slower trains cause lower forces on the track – this reduces the chance of buckling.' Unfortunately, even with prevention measures in place, rails can buckle. When this happens, the network is forced to close the line and carry out repairs before trains can run again. 'This can disrupt journeys because we often have to wait until the rail temperature has dropped before we can carry out these essential repairs,' it added. During a heatwave, there is also an increased risk of overhead wires overheating, causing the train's pantograph to become entangled and require repairs.
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Mom, 36, reveals she's left strangers stunned as they regularly mistake her and teenage daughter, 18, for sisters
A Scottish mother from Glasgow has gone viral as people often mistake her and her daughter for twins. Lisa Johnston said people were often 'gobsmacked' when they found out she was 36 and the mom of 18-year-old Alicia Johnston, whom she calls her 'built-in best friend'. She has claimed heads turn in public when Alicia calls her 'mom', adding that they often share clothes, make-up, shoes and even friends with one another. The mother-of-two regularly posts TikTok videos with Alicia, leaving social media users baffled. Lisa said: 'Everybody's a bit gobsmacked. We've been out a couple of times together at pubs and things like that and everybody can't believe it either. They're like, "What? Are you friends or sisters?". 'Someone once asked to see my ID because they couldn't believe it in one of the pubs we were at in town. We could be out doing a food shop or something and maybe Alicia will turn around and say "mom, can I get this?" 'And you see people turn around and look as if to say, "mom?". They're really confused.' Lisa added: 'People thought when I was picking Alicia up from school that it was her older sister. 'People were like, "you're picking your daughter up? What?". I used to just laugh it off. They say I look really young, it's quite nice actually, it's a confidence boost. It's nice to know that I've actually produced a mini me. A few people have said we're like 'copy and paste' of each other. 'The more Alicia is getting older, I can now see the big resemblance especially when we're doing the videos and things together. It is kind of like who's who?' Lisa said: 'Fitness and healthy eating is a big part of my lifestyle. I go to the gym five times a week. 'I just try not to get too stressed out. I take life as fun, we're all just living life. 'I don't get myself too riled up on anything, I think that's a big part as well. It really is like having a built-in best friend.' Lisa is also great pals with all of Alicia's friends, with the daughter adding: 'My friends love coming over because my mum is like a friend. They'll just chat away to her. 'There will be times where I'm minding my own business and I'll get a phone call and they're like, "I'm out with your mom right now". She's part of the friendship group. I'm never really bothered when people mistake us for sisters, I think it's funny. 'I would say this only started when I was about 15. I was just starting TikTok and me and mum were making TikTok videos together sometimes. 'As I got older and I looked more like my mum, people were like, "oh my God, you actually look so similar". 'We've basically got the same make-up routine and everything. So it's actually good sharing make-up shoes, hair products, everything.' Alicia and Lisa share the same love of looking glam, and the mom has even taken an eyelash course so she can do her daughter's lashes on a budget. Lisa said: 'I ended up showing Alicia how to do them as well so that was something that we do together. It was something I could pass down to her. 'I was like, "as they get older, the girls will want things done and their mom can do it instead of spending hundreds of pounds".' Social media users have been quick to share their confusion with some even questioning if they are really mother and daughter. One user said: 'That is not your mommy she looks in her 20s.' A second added: 'Nah both look as young as each other. Sisters definitely.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Mum slammed after sharing hack for DIY alternative to a sandpit with fellow parents pointing out ‘dangerous' mistake
A MUM-OF-TWO has come under fire for her unique summer play set-up. The Instagrammer shared her hack for keeping her little ones entertained and her house tidy at the same time. 2 Instagram user Katy Birkelbach amassed a whopping 15.3 million views for her DIY alternative to an at-home sandbox. She decided to substitue the sand to avoid her children trekking it through her home. And while she said her replacement is "so much better than sand", other parents were quick to point out a potential hazard. Katy showed her audience how she used corn kernels to fill the pit for her toddler son and baby daughter. She showed footage of the children playing in the corn, with her son even using his toy trucks to scoop up the kernels. Instagram users voiced their concerns over the "dangerous" move in the comments section. "I worry about them putting the corn up their nose or in their ears," wrote one parent. "Also the choking hazard possibility has me so stressed," added another viewer. "Huge chocking hazard! I've seen some really sad stories! Also attracts bees," pointed out a third person. "OMG, if the baby puts that in her mouth she's going to choke," agreed another follower. Mums issue stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids "Bad bad idea, if the baby puts it in to the mouth she can choke. You must be more clever than this," said one parent. "Isn't that a major choking hazard? I prefer to take the sand over corn," commented another person. One follower shared an additional way the corn could prove hazardour for children. "In the Balkans that was considered a punishment, kneeling on corn, hurts like hell," they said. Other viewers pointed out additional issues with the unique play set-up. How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' "I was just thinking the squirrels would go nutsss!" wrote one Instagram user. "This is cute, but the rodents it would attract," said another concerned person. And another viewer simply pointed out how the corn would limi the fun of a sandpit. "'I don't want to build sandcastles anyway,' said no kid ever," they wrote.
