Emmerdale's Laura Norton emotionally gives update on children's health as they battle rare condition
Emmerdale star Laura Norton was seen getting emotional about her children's rare health condition as she received an update at a hospital appointment documented on ITVBe's Drama Queen.
The actress, who shares her two children with former co-star Mark Jordon, who she is engaged to be married to, was given an important update on her children's health as they both battle a rare condition.
During the episode, Laura, who plays Kerry Wyatt on the ITV soap, gave viewers a glimpse into her life before returning to the show after her maternity leave.
Laura has two children Jesse, three, and Ronnie, almost 18 months, with fiancé Mark. Just over a year ago, both children were diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that leads to severe sight and hearing loss.
During a recent episode of ITVBe's Drama Queens, which follows the lives of some of the nation's favourite soap stars, the family-of-four attended a hospital appointment to receive an update.
The doctor said: "Now you've got a diagnosis now of a genetic change in a gene called USH2A.
"Now you are aware, that children are born with hearing loss and then once they're in their late childhood, teenage years, they may start to develop some vision problems."
Laura, who cuddled up to one of her little ones, looked emotional as she explained how she was feeling to the camera.
She said: "In these moments even if you feel like you want to burst into tears or you feel anxiety for them, you can't show it. So I think you push a lot of it down."
The doctor continued to explain how "every individual progresses at their own rate" before telling the worried couple a positive update on the children's vision.
She said: "They both have perfect vision today. They've got no problems. from a sight perspective at the moment, they're perfect so I just want you to really enjoy them and put this to the back of your mind."
Laura was thrilled to find out that her children had 20/20 vision and admitted it was "nice" to be going home with a good feeling.
It comes after a recent episode of the show saw Laura revealing that she was finding it tough returning to work after maternity leave.
Laura had been away from work for over a year after giving birth to her daughter, Ronnie, in 2022. Laura had been at home looking after her baby as well as her young son, Jesse, who welcomed in 2020.
Speaking to OK! about her return to work Laura recently said she wondered whether she could even act after being away for so long.
Laura’s character, Kerry, had been away on a cruise ship where she worked as a Cher impersonator. But after a few issues, she was brought back to the village still in her Cher costume.
Laura also confessed she was “constantly checking her phone” to check on the kids.
She revealed: “But I’m slowly starting to go, ‘Everything’s fine.’ I’ve come home and they’re both very happy, well rested and well fed – so now I can be present and do a good job.”
The news of their children's' rare health battle has been life-changing for the whole family, but after a period of grief, Laura and Mark have thrown themselves into charity work.
They are now patrons and trustees of the charity Cure Usher, raising money to fund research that could help their children, and others like them around the world.
