Ellie Simmonds has opened up on past ‘name-calling’ over her dwarfism, and admitted that Strictly Come Dancing has ‘made things better’.
The Midlands Paralympian, 27, who is paired up with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, has achondroplasia dwarfism which causes short limbs.
She has previously shared that she was nervous to sign up for the show due to what keyboard warriors might say, but, she’s now admitted her time on Strictly has made things better.
Speaking about being called names on the street in the past, she said: ‘It has happened and I know so many people in the dwarfism community that get that, on a daily basis it happens even now but it is changing.
‘When they see someone looks different you do get the stares, but now when I go out in the streets the support has been amazing and the response phenomenal. It has made things better.’
Ellie continued to The Mirror: ‘TV is so powerful and that’s why representation is so important, you saw that with Rose [Ayling-Ellis] last year.
‘I’m not just representing myself but the dwarfism community and the disability community and if I can create change people like myself in the streets don’t get the stares, the name calling, the abuse.
‘If I could just change one person’s life that is so powerful.’
Before the show began, Ellie spoke out about her journey on the show and the representation of disabled contestants.
‘The disability representation and dwarfism and it’s so out my comfort zone and it’s about adapting. Nikita and I were saying, ‘How are we going to work it,’ and we’re both in the unknown,’ she told HELLO.
‘He’s never danced with anyone with dwarfism before, I’ve never danced before, so how’s it going to work out.
‘I feel like, I’ve seen Rose do it last year, JJ, Lauren and Johnny… The dwarfism community, I’ve had so many people reaching out, not just in the UK but worldwide like, “Wow Ellie you’re doing this, you’re going to help us and represent us.” It’s a huge, huge honour.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6:50pm on BBC One.
