Zach Tori Roloff’s newborn son, Josiah, has achondroplasia, the Little People, Big WorldStars only tell Use Weekly. The couple opened up about their reason for going public with their son’s diagnosis — and why it’s important to remember that his condition is “not his identity.”
“He’s Josiah. He has achondroplasia, but he’s not, like, Josiah the achondroplasia,” Zach, 32, tells Us about the couple’s 3-week-old son, who was born on April 30. (Achondroplasia is the same form of dwarfism that the TLC star and the couple’s older children, Jackson, 5, and Lilah, 2, have, while Tori, 31, does not have dwarfism.)
“Just like I’m Tori, I have brown hair,” Tori adds. “I’m not a brunette — like, that’s not how I would classify myself.”
The Roloffs have made Dwarfism so common in their family, the pair explain, because Zach and Zach’s children are his parents. Amy Matt Roloff,Achondroplasia can also be present. (Matt and Amy’s other kids — Zach’s twin brother JeremyTheir daughter MollyThe third son Jacob — do not.)
“It’s so normal to us,” Tori tells UsHere is a list of Roloff family members with achondroplasia. “We have so many resources and there’s a lot of parents out there who don’t have the same resources and … don’t have the same confidence in everything that Zach and I do.”
The parents said that they will continue to use their platform to support those with dwarfism.
“We will definitely be advocates for people with dwarfism cause of our kids,” Zach says.
“Forever,” Tori adds.
The couple, who have been married since 2015, announced Josiah’s birth via Instagram earlier this month.
Zach and Tori Roloff TLC
“Josiah Luke Roloff 🔵 was born April 30, 2022! He came about two weeks early but we were ready!” the Pennsylvania native gushed on social media. “Super happy for our family and the kids adore him already. Tori has done amazing! ❤️.”
In her own post, Tori wrote, “The best early birthday present a mama could ask for! We love you sweet boy!”
Three weeks after their youngest child’s arrival, the reality stars are taking it easy with their new baby boy, whom they both agree is “chill.”
“Overall, he’s been the most straightforward, easy [baby],” Tori tells Use, noting that while he does cry, he’s also very tolerant of his older siblings “touching him and kissing him and … poking at him,” the couple reveals.
Little People, Big WorldTLC airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET.
Christina Garibaldi reports
