**Ellie Simmonds Opens Up About Emotional Journey Towards Motherhood**
Five-time Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, one of Britain’s most celebrated swimmers and recent Strictly Come Dancing star, has spoken with candour about the complex, deeply personal dilemma she faces regarding motherhood. Simmonds, now 30, has laid bare the emotional turmoil and uncertainty she feels over starting a family, particularly in light of her genetic condition, achondroplasia—the most common form of dwarfism.
Since retiring from competitive swimming in 2021, Simmonds has embarked on a new phase of her life. Her recent split from long-term partner Matt Dean has led her to reflect even more deeply on what she wants from her future. Amongst those thoughts is the very personal decision about whether to have children. This journey, with all its nuances and challenges, is explored in her forthcoming ITV documentary *Ellie Simmonds: Should I Have Children?* In the programme, Simmonds investigates the realities and options available to people who, like herself, must navigate the genetic implications of parenthood alongside the emotional and practical.
The film follows Simmonds as she learns about various family-building avenues, including the use of sperm donors, freezing her eggs for future use, and the possibility of adoption. Adoption, in particular, is a significant and poignant consideration for Simmonds. She was adopted herself at just two weeks old, which provides a deeply personal connection to the topic and adds another layer to her reflections.
Central to Simmonds’ concerns is the question of whether she might pass on achondroplasia to her future children. “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,” she revealed in an interview. Whilst she regards her own experiences positively, acknowledging that she has the least impaired version of the condition, she is acutely aware of the more severe complications, such as spinal issues or significant leg bowing, that can result for others.
Seeking medical and genetic advice, Simmonds met with a clinical geneticist experienced in achondroplasia. Here, she learned about pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT)—a process that screens embryos for certain genetic conditions before implantation during IVF. This technology presents a range of new questions and moral dilemmas for the swimmer. For instance, if she were to have a child with an average-height partner, her child would have a 50% chance of inheriting achondroplasia. Conversely, if her partner also had achondroplasia, genetic realities become more complicated, including the risk of ‘double dose’ dwarfism—a form incompatible with life.
Moreover, the use of PGT raises significant ethical questions. As Simmonds reflected, choosing only embryos without the achondroplasia gene effectively means that a baby with her condition, or potentially any genetic disability, would not be born to parents who share that condition. This has prompted Simmonds to reflect on her personal sense of identity, community, and pride, stating, “I’m so proud to be part of [the dwarfism] community… People with a disability should be celebrated.”
Her involvement in the dwarfism community and in adaptive sports is a source of great pride for Simmonds. These connections have shaped how she views disability and inclusion, influencing her thoughts about the best way to support a future child—whether disabled or non-disabled.
Adoption remains a significant possibility. Simmonds has voiced her openness to welcoming a child into her family in this way, an option closely tied to her own life story. She also recognises the increasing number of women who are freezing eggs or exploring single parenthood by choice—a shift she finds both empowering and indicative that there are many valid ways to shape a fulfilling adult life.
Reflecting on her documentary experience, Simmonds admitted the depth of its personal impact. “Making all these decisions is like digging deep down into your core. I was just not ready for it,” she confessed. She also spoke about learning more of her own biology and fertility, and the growing awareness that traditional family paths are only one selection from a larger menu of life options.
Ultimately, Simmonds’ story is one of vulnerability and resilience—a journey not just about potential motherhood, but about coming to terms with her identity, her body, and her hopes for the future. As she uses her platform to foster a more inclusive conversation about disability and parenting, Simmonds continues to inspire with her honesty and courage. Her openness offers comfort and guidance to others who may be wrestling with similar questions, reaffirming that a fulfilling life can take many different forms.