ITV Emmerdale couple’s kids both diagnosed with incurable condition

Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and Mark Jordon have spoken out about their two children being diagnosed with Usher syndrome

ITV Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and Mark Jordon have revealed their children have been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. The couple, who play Kerry Wyatt and Daz Spencer in the popular soap, opened up about how the diagnosis has affected their family life.

The condition, known as Usher syndrome, impacts both hearing and vision, causing deafness or hearing loss and an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP). It can also sometimes lead to balance issues.

While there is no cure for Usher syndrome, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms. Speaking about the situation, Laura said: “We’re loath to start thinking too hard about what we will have to do in the future – ‘What kind of furniture will we have to move? ” “What extra help will they need? ‘ – until it gets closer to the time because we’ve got about a decade until we need to think about it actively.”

“You make the decision not to preempt it too much because if it’s in our psyche, it becomes in their psyche and at the moment, we just want to enjoy them and have them be fearless.”

Both children currently have 20:20 vision and attend regular ophthalmology appointments, reports the Express. Despite the challenges, the couple remain positive about the future. “Mark describes it sometimes like a ticking clock, every second counts,” says Laura.

**The children have both been diagnosed with Usher syndrome** (Image: (Image: Instagram))

“You do hope everything’s going to be OK, but we’ve met so many people with the condition who are absolutely smashing life. They’re not people who are debilitated. They live life, have careers and families, and do the same things as everybody else.”

“We want other parents in the same position not to worry. There is lots of help and support out there. Our children love life and have lots of friends. They are amazing.”

Laura and Mark initially connected on the Emmerdale set back in 2014, eventually starting a romance in 2015. Mark popped the question on New Year’s Day in 2019, which led to the birth of their son Jesse in January 2021. The growing family then welcomed their daughter Ronnie in October 2022.