Five-time gold Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, 29, was born with achondroplasia and adopted at three months. She was the youngest member of the British team at Beijing 2016.
Here, she talks about what life is like on a daily basis as a disabled person and finding confidence after retiring as a Paralympian…
I had a really good childhood. My parents were very supportive and I think that made a massive difference. I’ve always known I had dwarfism and had a disability and was always celebrated.
I’d learnt to swim at the age of five, but that wasn’t anything unusual, it was just to make sure that I was safe in the water. I then joined a swimming club and began swimming competitively against people who were able bodied.
I loved going there and being with my friends, but I was losing all of my races because I was against people who were a lot taller than me. It didn’t matter to me, I loved swimming.
Everything changed in 2004 when I watched the Athens Paralympics on TV. Before then, I didn’t know that Paralympic sports existed. Seeing people like myself doing a sport they loved and representing their country was life-changing.
In particular, seeing [Welsh swimmer] Nyree Kindred, who has cerebral palsy, get a gold medal in the 100-metre backstroke was a turning point. From that moment I knew that I wanted to go to the Paralympics and get a gold medal.
Soon after, I got picked for a swimming gala and the rest is history. I began swimming professionally in 2006 and went to my first world championships when I was 12.
Even now it’s hard to believe I achieved medals and went to four Paralympics. It’s a part of my life that I’ll never forget, especially going to London 2012. Things can always get better, but I think from where we were before London, things have changed.
I think the success I’ve had helps, as some people recognise who I am. I live in a world that’s designed for people taller than me, so lots of things aren’t at my level.
Children are often curious when they see me and I regularly hear them say, “Mummy, that’s a small girl or small woman.”
"I love hearing parents explain that people come in all shapes and sizes because it’s educating the next generation."
Ellie has teamed up with Furby, which has launched its Furby-festo, a list of promises that parents are encouraged to share with their children. For more, visit furbeyourself.co.uk
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