AFL legend Gary Ablett Jr and his wife Jordan have marked a poignant family milestone, celebrating their son Levi's seventh birthday with a heartfelt public tribute.
A Family Celebration
The former Geelong and Gold Coast superstar, 41, and his partner, 33, shared a touching carousel of images this week showing their young son enjoying his special day. The photos captured intimate family moments, with Levi receiving plenty of affectionate cuddles from his proud parents.
Alongside the images, the couple posted a moving caption for their boy. "Happy 7th (!!!) birthday to our beautiful and handsome Levi," they wrote. "What a blessing you are to so many and definitely to this family. We love you little man!"
Opening Up About Levi's Diagnosis
The birthday celebration carries profound significance for the Ablett family. Last year, Jordan and Gary chose to speak publicly for the first time about the rare and serious health condition their son lives with.
Jordan revealed that Levi was diagnosed in May 2020 with Menkes disease. This is a rare recessive genetic disorder that disrupts copper metabolism in the body, leading to severe neurodegeneration and connective tissue problems. The condition is linked to the X chromosome and is caused by mutations in the ATP7A copper transporter gene.
"It was shocking… of course it was hard to first accept," Jordan admitted about receiving the diagnosis. She explained that the medication Levi is on can only "slow the progression" of the disease, for which there is currently no complete cure.
Living with Menkes Disease
Menkes disease presents distinctive clinical features, including sparse, depigmented hair and significant connective tissue issues. It causes severe neurological symptoms such as seizures, low muscle tone (hypotonia), failure to thrive, and neurodevelopmental delays.
The prognosis is challenging. Mortality is high in untreated cases, with many children not surviving beyond three years of age. Early treatment with parenteral copper histidinate (CuHis) can improve survival rates and lessen neurological symptoms, but it is not a cure.
Jordan discussed the family's journey in her memoir, One Day At A Time, published last year. She wrote of hoping to make other parents of children with disabilities feel "less alone, more capable" and to see their child as "a genuine treasure."
Reflecting on their path, Jordan emphasised resilience. "I know we are blessed and I know that when those hard days come, and they do, it's so important to not give into the emotions," she said. "I always knew deep down that I would eventually be open and transparent about it… I don't know what good can possibly come from not being that."
The Ablett family's public sharing of Levi's seventh birthday is a testament to their love and their commitment to raising awareness about rare degenerative disorders, finding joy amidst profound challenges.
