‘Little People Big World’ Stars Zach & Tori Roloff Open Up About Their Baby’s Dwarfism!

Little People Big World stars, Zach and Tori Roloff, have confirmed that their infant son, Jackson Kyle Roloff, was born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Jackson arrived on May 14th.

The couple spoke to People about their drastically shifted reality, officially introducing their baby boy to the world.

“We knew we were leaving our previous life behind, but we were okay with that,” Zach, 27, said. “We’re not doing things on our schedule anymore. We’re on Jackson time!”

The new father described their current life as one filled with feedings and sleepless nights.

“I’ve learned I can exist on no sleep,” Tori noted. “Zach is having a bit of a harder time with that.”

The TLC show revealed that doctors suspected that the baby might be born with achondroplasia, during Tori’s pregnancy. The couple learned the official diagnosis at 34 weeks, but only shared the news with their families. Zach and Tori knew that the chance of their child inheriting achondroplasia stood at 50%.

“We knew our chances of having a dwarf, but it didn’t matter,” explained Tori. “We just knew we wanted to be parents, however God wanted it to happen.”

Zach opened up about how he plans to empathetically raise the couple’s son.

“You have to encourage a dwarf child a little more because it will take them five steps to do what others can do in two,” said the proud dad. “But I knew, dwarf or not, I was going to parent my child with the mentality that not everyone gets a trophy. You have to earn it.”

Zach and Tori hope to educate and encourage other parents of dwarfs, as they navigate life as young parents.

“Tons of parents e-mail me to say what an inspiration we are for their kids, showing that it’s possible for them to get married and have a family,” said Zach. “The other day we met a couple who have a dwarf child. They started watching our show and it made them feel that it was all going to be okay.”

Tori, 26, plans to stay home with Jackson for a year — before returning to her job, teaching kindergarten. The couple wrapped their thoughts by sharing their core hopes for their son.

“I just pray that he’s caring and thoughtful, like his father,” Tori shared. “I just want him to be a good person.”

“Whatever he wants to do in life, we’re going to find a way to help him do it. That’s our job in life now,” Zach added.

Little People Big World airs Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m., ET on TLC.

 

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