‘Got emotional’: Jordan Ablett opens up on big decision for son Levi

Jordan Ablett and husband Gary have shared new details about challenges that have arisen surrounding the health of their precious son.

Jordan Ablett has shared new details about the challenges that have arisen with precious son Levi.

Ablett and her football legend husband Gary have made the big decision not to send the five-year-old to school this year while they continue to care for him.

The inspirational figure has revealed to The Herald Sun Levi has reached new milestones in his growth and development — but that has resulted in the family needing to make changes. Levi suffers from a rare degenerative illness affecting his respiratory system and is continuing to receive treatment through the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

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Jordan has been like any other proud mum while watching Levi thrive alongside his siblings, sister Grace and brother Ezra.

The Geelong Cats icon and Jordan welcomed their third child Ezra in July, 2023.

The couple’s journey has inspired many going through similar health issues and Ablett has now revealed more details from their very private life.

“Grace is now nearly two-and-a-half and they’ve got a super cute connection and even having Ez who is seven-months now, it’s nice to surround Levi with children,’’ Jordan said.

“Hearing what other families have said, their childhood is kind of taken from them a bit so when Levi is around children he really does light up.

“Everyone keeps asking how he’s doing and he’s pretty much the same to be honest.

Gary Ablett jnr and wife Jordan with their son Levi.

Gary Ablett with son Levi. Pic: Instagram

“I feel like we sound a bit repetitive but he’s getting older and he’s growing which means there are more challenges that are arising but we’re managing.

“Over the course of the year we have months on and months off (at the RCH). Lots of appointments, different teams obviously, and they’ve been amazing for us.”

Jordan, an ambassador for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, said she herself has been left emotional by hearing the stories of other families, including two-year-old boy Finley who is battling spina bifida and is receiving care at the RCH.

“Having three kids and also Gaz no longer working in a footy routine, we’re able to tackle the parenting together which is nice,’’ Jordan said.

“Even having kids without a disability or any help issues is hard, but that extra challenge is harder as well.

“Fin’s parents talking about what matters most is the joy and the love and all of those lessons our children teach us.

“I was thinking about that the other day that we don’t get those opportunities too much to reflect. Just because these big things take time in themselves and throw in another couple of kids and life as well, you don’t get the opportunity to stop and reflect.

Jordan and Gary Ablett with their son Levi. Picture: Supplied

“It’s nice hearing stories and really understanding other families on a personal level. I got a bit emotional with both of those stories because I am really connecting and it’s making me reflect on my own journey as well.”

She said last year the couple had made a decision not to send Levi to school this year.

“It’s just too hard,’’ she said.

“He has a lot of needs and he’s so happy at home and we know how to care for him. So rather than putting him in that environment where someone else just does what we’re doing but not to the level, he’s so happy at home.

“He’s a homebody and likes the familiarity. He loves being at home. He’s got a pretty low immune system so we’ve also weighed that up as well if someone is sick around him.”

Gary Ablett Jr, a former AFL star for Geelong and Gold Coast, retired in 2020 after a successful career.

Speaking on a special charity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? last year, he opened up about Levi’s condition.

Jordan Ablett with her son Levi. Picture: Supplied

“He is a beautiful boy with a pretty serious condition,” Ablett said at the time.

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

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

In 2021, Jordan told The Significant Others podcast 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.

“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.

“There is a very short life expectancy which is why I constantly say to people when they ask about Levi that we are literally just taking it day by day because we have no idea what the future holds.”