Zach Roloff and Tori Roloff are featured in the latest issue of People Magazine.
But they aren’t alone:
The publication also has a new photo of the reality stars posing with their brand new bundle of joy, little Jackson Kyle, who was born on Friday, May 12.
Joking that they are on constant “Jackson time” these days, Tori tells People that she’s impressed herself by how she’s able to function on no sleep.
But “Zach is having a bit of a harder time with that,” she says.
Zach, unfortunately, has had a harder time with nearly everything in life. That’s the basic premise behind his family’s TLC series, Little People, Big World.
It gives viewers a glimpse into the many challenges that face those born with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism.
Does Zach’s son have this condition?
He weighed in at nine pounds and one ounce and measured 20.5 inches long at the time of his birth, both “normal” figures for a baby.
Yes, however, Zach explains to People that Jackson was born with achondroplasia and will need his parents’ guidance more than ever as he grows up.
“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,” says Zach, who dedicates time to being a soccer coach.
“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.”
You can watch Little People, Big World online from last week (below) in order to see how Zach confides in his mother about dwarf-related concerns regarding his son.
“It’s tough,” Zach recalled of his childhood to his mom, Amy, adding on the episode:
“You can’t keep up. You can’t out-climb the other boys on the trees, you can’t outrun the other boys…Remember when I would come crying to you?”
Men with achondroplasia grow to an average height of 4’4″ with a normal lifespan, while babies may have breathing problems, along with delays in muscle development.
Zach is aware that the genetic condition will make Jackson’s life more challenging, but:
“I want people to know that he’s just like his dad: being a dwarf is just part of the whole package of who he is,” the star says to People.
Tori is average size.
She and Zack knew going into the pregnancy that their offspring would have a 50 percent chance of inheriting achondroplasia.
When Jackson was diagnosed during an ultrasound at 34 weeks, the pair informed their family, yet waited until after the birth to discuss the diagnosis publicly.
The Roloffs wanted to be parents for their own reasons.
But they also hope they can now serve as role models to others in similar situations.
“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,” says 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.”
As they consider what’s next for themselves and their baby, Zach concludes that the new parents have one goal and one goal only:
“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.”
This issue of People Magazine goes on sale this Friday, June 2.