Tori Roloff Praises Son Jackson’s Strength After Third Leg Surgery

“Little People, Big World” stars Tori and Zach Roloff are celebrating their eldest son Jackson’s resilience after undergoing his third leg surgery.

“Jackson has proved he’s stronger than titanium — let’s hope he’s not stronger than vanadium,” Tori, 34, joked in an Instagram post on Friday, Aug. 8. “Unbelievably proud of this kid. Jackson had his third leg surgery today, and he took it like a champ. I had zero doubts, but he has every right to complain and he doesn’t.”

Tori reflected on how her 8-year-old son’s courage continues to inspire her. “His resilience and patience is unreal,” she wrote. “Watching him today do something he did not want to do with grace was so humbling. I am so proud to be his mom.”

She shared two photos on the social media platform of Jackson in the hospital.

Keeping Details Private While Trusting the Experts

The Roloffs, who wed in 2015, are parents to Jackson, Lilah, 5, and Josiah, 3. While they’ve never disclosed Jackson’s specific diagnosis, Tori explained she limits what she shares publicly about his medical journey.

“I don’t share about his legs often because people on the internet seem to all have medical degrees and know exactly what the diagnosis is,” she wrote. “In reality, I don’t trust people online. I trust his doctor who I think is very good at what he does and trust him to help us navigate this situation. Jackson is receiving the best care we know how to give him and he’s taking it all in stride.”

Tori added that she and Zach, 35, are “so stinking proud” of their son’s ability to handle challenges head-on.

Teaching the Kids About Their Differences

Zach and all three of the couple’s children have achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. The TLC alums focus on teaching their kids about their physical differences in a positive light.

In a 2022 interview with Us Weekly, Zach recalled Jackson watching a dwarf soccer game on YouTube and not immediately recognizing the shared trait. “Those players have dwarfism,” Zach told his son. “They’re like you and I.”

Jackson previously had surgery in 2021 to correct bowing in his legs, with doctors placing screws that will straighten them as he grows. “It’s not an overnight fix,” Zach said at the time.

For Tori, the goal is clear: “We don’t want our kids to see their dwarfism as their entire identity. It’s so normal to us, and we have so many resources to support them.”