Jess Wright gives health update on son Presley after rare condition diagnosis – and reveals plans for acting career
JESS Wright has given a health update on her son Presley after his rare condition diagnosis – whilst revealing her acting career plans.
Towie legend Jess, 38, announced two weeks ago that her little boy has Bicuspid Aortic Valve, a congenital heart disease.
The reality star, who shares Presley, two, with her husband William Lee-Kemp, was supported by fans as she shared the news to Instagram.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun at tonight’s NTAs, she assured that he’s doing well but will need ongoing regular checkups.
Jess said: “He’s good, it’s an eight-to-twelve week check up for the forseeable so it’s going to be really tough.
“It’s been tough but I’ve had such an amazing response. When we first found out, we kept it to ourselves.
“We were kind of grieving the news, which sounds really morbid, but it’s something you have to accept and forever know that this is going to be life now.
“But, after that the response we’ve had… it’s really nice to know and comforting.”
When she first burst onto the reality scene, Jess showcased her creative side as part of the pop group, Lola.
The talented star is still chomping at the bit to perform, but she’s now turned her attention towards acting.
She told us: “I’ve been doing a lot of auditions for work with performing, that’s been really interesting and fun and different.
“I’ve kind of gone back to that again, which is kind of what I entered the industry for. I’m loving it, every second of it.
“I’ve been having coaching for about a year, which is great. It’s going well at the minute so fingers crossed.
“The dream would be a period drama, I’d love to get my teeth into something really iconic and historic. That’s a big pipe dream.”
When Jess shared Presley’s health confition last month, she wrote a heartfelt Instagram caption.
The proud mum said: “Something he was born with & happens to a small 1% of us. Essentially, instead of having three leaflets in his aortic valve, like most, he only has two.
“This condition affects how blood flows from the heart to the rest of the body and will require monitoring & care over time.
“I won’t go into the full details right now, but while this is please God not a fatal disease, we are coming to terms with the fact that our son will need intervention at least twice in his life.
“By intervention I mean open heart surgery. Saying those words out loud physically hurts my soul.”
The star continued: “We know that Presley is strong and resilient.
“With the help of modern day medicine, Presley will live as normal life as the next child, we hope & pray.
“I also know that this platform will help me share & get information, express my feelings, find answers to questions, & provide much-needed support and knowledge to others in need.
“I would love to hear from any other parents who are navigating this unknown & very scary territory, as knowledge is power & it is a comfort to know that we are not alone.”
Jess told her followers she will be fundraising for Brompton Fountain children’s charity in the future.
Dozens wrote back to the star and one shared: “Hi Jess my son was diagnosed with the same, I never knew until a week after I had him with my other two children being fit & healthy it was a huge shock too the system.
“At four weeks old he got an operation to stretch the valve and from then he’s been doing incredible. He’ll be 14 months next week and praying he will not have to get open heart surgery any time soon.”
Another said: “My son has aortic stenosis and a bicuspid aortic valve, he’s 11 and thriving we have needed no intervention as yet.
“As he has got older there’s been a slight improvement which keeps him stable and could do for decades.
“Many people don’t find out until they are in their 50s at least.
“It’s really scary initially and can limit certain careers, but they can and will have a very full life xxx”
Jess tied the knot to businessman William on one of Spain’s popular Balearic Islands in 2021.
The influencer revealed that she was engaged to William back in March 2020.