A World Without Dwarfism: what is new drug featured in Ellie Simmonds BBC show, and is it available in the UK? – NationalWorld

Former Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds said she met many amazing people while making the documentary

Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE will front a new BBC documentary exploring a drug that claims to make children with dwarfism grow closer to average height.

A BBC documentary exploring a drug that claims to make children with dwarfism grow closer to average height is to air this evening (Tuesday 5 April).

The show is presented by Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE, who was diagnosed with achondroplasia - the most common form of dwarfism - as a baby.

Simmonds has said she is pretty much against use of the drug, called vosoritide, but takes an open-minded approach during the documentary and meets families in the UK and the US who say the drug could improve their lives.

So, what is dwarfism, what is vosoritide, and how can you watch the Ellie Simmonds documentary.

Heres what you need to know.

What is dwarfism?

Restricted growth, sometimes known as dwarfism, is a condition characterised by unusually short height, according to the NHS.

There are 2 main types of restricted growth; proportionate short stature, which is a general lack of growth in the body, arms and legs, and disproportionate short stature, where the arms and legs are particularly short.

Some people with restricted growth also have other physical problems, such as bowed legs or an unusually curved spine, but most people dont have any other serious problems and are able to live a relatively normal life and have a normal life expectancy.

The most common cause of proportionate short stature is being born to small parents, but it is also sometimes the result of the body not producing enough growth hormone.

A rare genetic condition called achondroplasia is the most common cause of disproportionate short stature.

It does not always run in the family and many children with achondroplasia have parents of normal height.

What is vosoritide?

Vosoritide is a new drug that has been developed to treat children with achondroplasia.

Makers claim that it can reduce some of the medical complications associated with dwarfism, if given to children while they are still developing. They also claim that it can make children taller.

It is in the final stages of trials in the UK, but it could be decided as early as next year whether or not to make it available on the NHS.

It is already available in the US, with treatment costing around $350,000 a year, or around 266,866.25.

Who is Ellie Simmonds?

Ellie Simmonds, aged 27, is a British former Paralympian swimmer who has won eight Olympic medals, and five of them are gold.

She has competed in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Paralympics.

When she was 13-years-old, she became the youngest British swimmer to have ever competed at the Paralympics, and is also the youngest person to have ever received an OBE, which was given to her when she was aged 14.

Simmonds, who is from Walsall in the West Midlands, also won the BBCs young sports personality of the year award at the age of 14.

In September 2021, she announced her Paralympic retirement after missing out on a medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Simmonds is also a patron of the Dwarf Sports Association UK, a sporting charity which aims to make sporting opportunities accessible to everyone of restricted growth in the UK.

What has Ellie Simmonds said about the documentary?

During the documentary, Simmonds talks about her own experiences and asks wider questions about the relationship between science, diversity and disability.

She will meet other members of the dwarfism community and speak to her own family about her own experiences of growing up with achondroplasia.

Simmonds said: This is a subject close to my heart. Growing up these drugs werent available to me and had they been, I dont know what my parents would have done.

But I wouldnt change myself. I love who I am and I am glad that I have dwarfism because I think my body is strong and beautiful.

Speaking about the documentary on her official Twitter page, she said she was bursting with excitement.

Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism? will air on BBC One & iPlayer on Tuesday 5th April at 9pm.

I learnt so so much from this documentary & journey and met so many amazing people along the way. Cant believe its going to be out for all to watch!

When is the documentary on TV?

Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism? is on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday 5 April 2022.

The hour-long documentary is available to watch live on television, or on BBC iPlayer.

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A World Without Dwarfism: what is new drug featured in Ellie Simmonds BBC show, and is it available in the UK? - NationalWorld