Gary Ablett gives rare update on son Levi’s progress

Footy legend Gary Ablett has given a rare update on his two-year-old son’s condition during an emotional moment on television.

Gary Ablett has given an update on son Levi as he continues to progress with a rare degenerative disease during an emotional moment on TV.

The footy legend on Thursday opened up about his son - and how the two-year-old is continuing to bring he and wife Jordan “so much joy”.

His proud, public words on Thursday night came after Jordan last month opened up on the heartbreaking health battle faced by their son, revealing the rare degenerative disease he suffers from has a “very short life expectancy”.

The Abletts went public last year with Levi’s condition and have shared multiple updates about his progress since then.

The former Geelong superstar, who retired at the end of the 2020 AFL season, said they are seeing “improvements” in Levi’s progress.

“He is a beautiful boy with a pretty serious condition,” Ablett said on a special charity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

“We are seeing some improvement, and Levi is having physiotherapy each day.

Gary Ablett jnr and his son Levi. Picture: Instagram

Gary, Jordan and Levi Ablett

“The great thing about Levi is that he is a very determined boy and always happy. He brings so much joy to our lives.”

His wife revealed the other side of their brave journey with Levi in a recent podcast.

Jordan talked about the moment Levi was diagnosed and the shattering realisation that his life was at risk.

“I just remember sitting with Gaz in that meeting and when they said it I just remember absolutely breaking down,” she said on The Significant Others podcast,

“It’s one thing to receive a diagnosis which just confirms that Levi has a rare and degenerative disease. However, it’s another thing to understand that it is life threatening and that’s like a whole other ball game and a whole other situation in itself because that stuff you just can’t prepare for.”

Gary Ablett and Jordan Ablett.

Ablett was playing for Compassion Australia as his choice charity and hopes to raise funds for children at risk in Rwanda.

“Compassion Australia is an organisation that works with children living in poverty, my wife and I sponsor two children through compassion’s child sponsorship program,” Ablett said.

“They are a great organisation and we are super passionate about the work they are doing and we are looking forward to supporting them long into the future.”

Compassion is an international child development charity with more than 60 years’ experience working with some of the world’s poorest children.