 In the documentary Ellie says, with a laugh in her voice, that if she hadn't been placed with her family, she could have ended up in prison. And this is too often the case for childr){kind=link}
It breaks my heart that there are Disabled children needing adoption who are actively ignored in this respect because families are afraid to take them on, writes Anna Morell
Ellie Simmonds is one of the best Paralympians the UK has ever produced. She was also adopted. Her new ITV documentary, Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family, looks into what it is like for a Disabled child in the adoption system.
There are 1,200 families ready and waiting to adopt children in this country. And a third more kids than that are waiting to be adopted. The problem is that many families want a certain type of child â namely white, non-Disabled, and as close to newborn as possible. Disabled kids are being left on the shelf. The intersectionality of race and disability doubles down on the chances of being rejected for adoption.
It’s a hugely moving documentary. Our instincts as humans is to reach out to babies and children, to pick them up, hold them, love them, nurture them, meet their needs. It breaks my heart that there are Disabled children who are actively ignored in this respect because families are afraid to take them on.
Look at people like Ellie. I don’t mean the incredible amount of gold medals. Look at her â her personality, who she is, who she became, because of the love and support she was given by her fiercely brilliant, loving family. She glows with love, intelligence, drive, can-do and compassion.