Tori And Zach Roloff Share Sad Health News About Their Son Jackson

Back in November, Jackson Roloff underwent a major surgery to correct bowing in his legs. The little boy's mom, Tori Roloff, confirmed the news on Instagram, to keep fans in the loop. Alongside a shot of the youngster resting in his hospital bed, Tori acknowledged, "Today has been one of the hardest days I've ever had. Watching your child in pain is never something a parent wants to go through. However, we are trusting his doctors and our Lord that this was the best decision for him."

Jackson was born with dwarfism in 2017, and a couple of years later, Tori and husband Zach Roloff confirmed with Us Weekly that he had yet to experience any major health issues. "He's had a couple ear infections, which can be common with dwarfism. There's a lot of potentials, but for now it's too early to tell," Zach explained. "We actually have the same pediatrician for him that was my pediatrician growing up, so that's been really nice because he's familiar with dwarfism and those things."

As the "Little People, Big World" star added, it can be tough to find a doctor with the requisite experience in Portland, where the family resides. Tori noted the couple had been "blessed" thus far. Sadly, although the surgery went well, it seems little Jackson's recovery isn't moving along as swiftly as his parents would like.

The recovery from Zach and Tori Roloff's young son, Jackson's, recent leg surgery is more difficult than the couple anticipated. During an upcoming episode of the hit show "Little People, Big World," Jackson's parents admit the youngster is "having a hard time" after undergoing the procedure in November 2021, leading Zach and Tori to grow increasingly concerned. In the clip, Tori can be heard asserting, "There is legitimately something wrong" with Jackson. The worried mother explains, "He isn't progressing like they said that he would."

Moreover, Jackson appears to be in pain, leading his mom to make another doctor's appointment to make sure his limbs aren't significantly damaged. Tori hopes that Jackson's recovery is just slow, for whatever reason. As Zach explained to his own mother, Amy Roloff, "If something isn't healing right or growing right, I want to adjust — especially before this new baby comes." Jackson turned 5 in May, but the Roloffs have yet to update fans further on his progress. Zach and Tori did welcome their third child, Josiah, on April 30, however, sharing the happy news on Instagram.

"You surprised us all by coming early, but also the wait felt like a lifetime!" they captioned the post. As Life & Style reported at the time, the couple previously suffered a miscarriage. Tori confirmed Zach had remained by her side throughout the ordeal, and she couldn't have endured it without his support.

It's clear Zach and Tori Roloff value being parents more than anything, and even when times are tough, they remain grateful for the opportunity to raise their children. Following Jackson's achondroplasia diagnosis — which is what led to him needing leg surgery — Tori admitted, during an episode of "Little People, Big World," that it was "scary" to consider her child being different in some way. 

Per Heavy, she argued, "There are certain things that come along with having an achondroplasia child that would be more difficult than having a child that was average height." However, Zach made it clear, "whatever he wants to do, we're going to find a way to help him do it." The reality stars have consistently expressed their desire for a big family too, with Zach telling Us Weekly, "I would love, like four or five kids." 

As Tori reasoned, "It's just on God's timing and just whenever. We're ready for it." The couple love being parents, particularly considering Zach coaches soccer and Tori previously worked as a teacher, per In Touch Weekly. Although Jackson's health is obviously a concern, no matter what happens, they've got each other.

Prior to the birth of their third child, Josiah, "Little People, Big World" stars Tori and Zach Roloff pondered what it might be like to raise a kid of average height. In a clip shared by People, taken from an upcoming episode of the hit show, the expectant parents return from a doctor's appointment and pore over ultrasound photos. Zach points out that the baby doesn't appear to be a dwarf, with Tori adding, "I'm getting average height vibes. It's right on track. All the long bones are on track." In a confessional, the reality star shared how "fun" it would be "to have an average height baby."

Her husband agreed, acknowledging it would be an interesting experience overall. However, Zach also argues, "I would imagine having all dwarf siblings just kinda like, 'Hey we're a pack and that's the outside world.' But when you have an average height sibling, [you're like] I wish I was more like my sibling. It changes the dynamic a little bit." 

Josiah was ultimately born with achondroplasia, much like older brother Jackson. It's the most common form of dwarfism, and the little boy shares it with his dad and their other sibling, Lilah, too. Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, the genetic condition affects the fibroblast growth factor receptor, resulting in shorter bones and an average adult height of between 42 and 56 inches.

Soon after his birth, Zach and Tori Roloff made it clear achondroplasia doesn't define their youngest child, Josiah. "Just like I'm Tori, I have brown hair," she reasoned to Us Weekly. "I'm not a brunette. That's not how I would classify myself." The couple shared Josiah's condition publicly to spread awareness about it, alongside clarifying their son wouldn't be held back because of it. "He's Josiah. He has achondroplasia, but he's not, like, Josiah the achondroplasia," Zach explained. His own parents, Matt and Amy Roloff, notably also have achondroplasia. Thus, the condition is normalized within their family. 

Moreover, the couple is grateful for the access they have to a variety of resources, with Tori pointing out many parents in a similar situation aren't so fortunate. The "Little People, Big World" stars, who have been married since 2015, are slowly adjusting to being a family of five. Despite previously expressing a desire to expand their brood further, in an interview with ET, Zach admitted the couple was probably finished having kids after Josiah. Tori suggested they might still have another, though, noting, "It's been harder to say that though, it's harder to like ... [to say,] 'We're done,' because he's been so easy. I'm like, 'Oh, maybe we could do one more.'" 

Either way, the reality stars are focused on the future, and giving their kids the best life possible. As Zach acknowledged, they've got the next decade all sorted.