• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Woman who adopted niece when she was two days old left floored after she said 'you're not my real mum'

Home> Life

Updated 20:02 18 May 2023 GMT+1Published 20:01 18 May 2023 GMT+1

Woman who adopted niece when she was two days old left floored after she said 'you're not my real mum'

The Aussie athlete says she didn't think twice before stepping up to take on the newborn

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/abbykate10

Topics: Parenting, Life

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at Tyla who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Australian Olympic basketball star Abby Bishop has opened up about what it’s like to be the adoptive mother of her niece Zala - and admits that it’s not always smooth sailing.

A decade ago, 34-year-old athlete was at the height of her career - she was star basketball player for the Canberra Capitals and Australian Opals and had the world at her feet.

However, everything changed in an instant when her sister Chloe gave birth but was too ill to look after the newborn.

Advert

The baby, named Zala, faced being taken into care by the Department of Human Services.

Without giving it a second thought, Abby stepped up to take on the newborn.

In an interview with the Herald Sun, Abby revealed: “I still remember the moment there were two DHS officers standing there with clipboards - I said, ‘No, she's not going to foster care, she's coming with me’, I absolutely did not think twice, she's family.

“I had nothing for a baby, literally had to go to Kmart and grab bottles and I bought a cheap pram and some blankets and clothes and nappies.

Advert

“Mum used to own a motel in Darwin, so I got a room for free and here I was by myself in a hotel with a two-day-old.”

Basketball star Abby Bishop said she didn’t think twice about adopting her niece.
Instagram/@abbykate10

Incredibly, Abby pushed on with her career on the court - in fact, she was back playing just two days after taking custody of little Zala.

Fast-forward ten years, and the pair have travelled all over the world together.

Advert

But it hasn’t always been easy, one day - when Zala was old enough to use the internet - she discovered the truth behind her birth and confronted Abby telling her: “You’re not my real mum.”

Opening up about the experience, Abby said: “I was playing for Bologna in Italy and Zala was going to an Italian school and she wasn't yet aware - I was still just Mum.

“I'd spoken to quite a few people about when is the right time to tell her but everybody had said to me 'you'll know when to do it, when your guts tells you'.

Abby says Zala now knows ‘the whole story’ about her birth.
Instagram/@abbykate10

Advert

“But I didn't get the chance to plan it. My first instinct was to say 'no, no, no, that's not true', because I didn't know what to do, it was just so sudden.”

The next day, Abby sat her down and explained everything.

“She asked a couple of questions and then that's it,” she said. “She hasn't really brought it up again with me.

“I'm just mum and I think she's only said once 'You're not my real mum' when she was in trouble.

Advert

“I'm glad it happened like that now. It didn't change things between us at all and it allowed me to tell her the whole story.”

Choose your content:

12 hours ago
16 hours ago
  • 12 hours ago

    People horrified at 'unsettling' detail after realising how excess skin removal surgery actually works

    1000-lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton recently underwent the procedure to remove over 15 pounds of excess skin

    Life
  • 12 hours ago

    Woman sparks outrage for naming child after devastating world event

    A baby shower invitation exposed the mum-to-be's controversial baby name choice

    Life
  • 12 hours ago

    Gen Z are now opting for 'fridge cigarettes' instead of smoking

    'Fridge cigarettes' have become Gen Z's latest obsession, filling TikTok feeds with somewhat of a new alternative to nicotine and tobacco

    Life
  • 16 hours ago

    People refusing to eat McDonald's ever again after realising how it started

    The fast food chain was founded by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1940

    Life
  • Mum divides opinion after refusing to pay niece for babysitting
  • Teen mum who gave birth to triplets is adopted by their neonatal nurse
  • Mum Praised For How She Teaches Her Kids Not To Bully
  • Mum claims she went back to work just five days after giving birth