Legally blind Big Brother star Reggie Bird opens up about her debilitating illness and her son’s cystic fibrosis
Two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird has shared a courageous message with her fans.
The 49-year-old, who is legally blind, told her followers on Instagram on Thursday that she will tackle each day “as it comes” as she supports her son Lucas’ battle with cystic fibrosis.
“Today is Rare Disease Day,” she began.
‘Both myself and Lucas live with a rare health condition… Lucas has Cystic Fibrosis, a lung disease, and I have Retinitis Pigmentosa, an eye disease.
‘Both are incomprehensible. But we take each day as it comes and never take anything for granted.”
Two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird has shared a courageous message with her fans. Pictured: Reggie with her son Lucas, who is 14
The 49-year-old, who is legally blind, told her followers on Instagram on Thursday that she will tackle each day “as it comes” as she supports her son Lucas’ battle with cystic fibrosis.
The popular reality star included an image of herself cuddling her son, Lucas, 14, to her chest.
Reggie’s emotional post caused followers to flock to her message board with words of support.
“You’re both amazing Reggie. Sending you both big hugs and love,” said one fan.
“Your champions for me,” wrote another.
“You’re an amazing person Reggie,” another commented.
‘Doing all this with your visual impairment. You inspire me and have done so for many years,” another added.
Reggie made history when she became the first reality star to win Big Brother twice, first in 2003 and again in 2022. Pictured in 2022 with Lucas and daughter Mia
Reggie’s emotional post sent followers flocking to her wall
It comes after Reggie revealed how she felt ‘guilty’ over her teenage son’s cystic fibrosis diagnosis, which she unknowingly passed on to him.
Comment on the Dr. Golly and the Experts podcast last October.
‘I’ve always felt guilty that I gave Lucas this disease, so I feel guilty that I passed this on to him and I would do anything to take that away, but I can’t. It’s depressing,” she admitted.
Lucas was diagnosed with the genetic condition when she was four weeks old, and since then Reggie says she has waged an “unrelenting” battle to keep her 14-year-old son alive.
Lucas requires daily physiotherapy and must take medication, which can amount to thirty tablets a day.
She said the condition has taken a toll on her family, and she now regrets not spending more time with her eldest daughter Mia, 16.
Meanwhile, Reggie has her own health problems: She is legally blind after being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision disturbances.
She also has Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disease that affects both hearing and vision.
Reggie is legally blind after being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision disturbances. She also has Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disease that affects both hearing and vision. (Pictured)