**Emmerdale’s Laura Norton Shares Emotional Journey After Revealing Children’s Rare Condition**
Laura Norton, best known for her role as Kerry Wyatt on the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale, has spoken candidly about the deeply personal decision she and her partner, fellow actor Mark Jordon, faced regarding their children’s health. The couple, whose two young children Jesse and Ronnie are both diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, grappled with whether to share their family’s story with the wider public.
Usher Syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes both hearing loss and progressive vision impairment. Norton, aged 41, explained the complexity of making their children’s diagnosis public. She admitted there was an initial hesitation, as she felt uneasy about revealing such private details before her children could understand their own circumstances. However, both she and Jordon ultimately concluded that raising awareness was essential—not just for their own family, but for everyone affected by this little-known condition.
In a recent interview, Norton described the challenges they encountered: “It’s a genetic condition which causes hearing and vision loss. Going public was a tough decision because obviously we’re kind of outing the children before they know.” This personal conflict is one that many parents can empathise with—balancing a child’s right to privacy with the broader need for community support and medical advancement.
The couple’s son Jesse, aged four, and daughter Ronnie, aged two, were both born deaf. Doctors have said the progression of Usher Syndrome may mean that by their teenage years, Jesse and Ronnie could also experience significant loss of sight. Norton and Jordon have since become ardent campaigners for greater recognition of Usher Syndrome, joining the board and acting as patrons of Cure Usher Syndrome, a charity dedicated to research and support for affected families.
“Mark and I are now board members, trustees and patrons of the charity,” Norton shared. “In the beginning, it was about our babies. And then you meet other families going through the same thing and it becomes about everyone else.” These efforts shine a light on a rare condition that, until now, has received relatively little public attention or research funding.
The Emmerdale actress described an evolving sense of “purpose” since learning of her children’s diagnosis. She noted that the journey has been transformative, shifting her and Jordon’s views on their roles not only as parents but also as advocates. “It’s a life mission for me and Mark. We’ve both got a job that we love and we feel very lucky to have that, but when something like this comes along and pulls the rug from under your feet, you question it – ‘How is this our life?’”
Despite the immense challenges, Norton finds a powerful sense of meaning in her family’s unique situation. “But weirdly we both think it was meant to be. I’ve never felt more purpose in my life,” she reflected, illustrating a positive yet realistic outlook amidst uncertainty.
The experience has also reshaped everyday life for the family. “My whole world revolves around them and that’s how it should be,” Norton said, highlighting a moment of self-care when she allowed herself a rare hour away to get her nails done—a first in over four years. Such reflections resonate with many parents who feel the weight of their children’s needs, particularly when navigating health conditions.
The star’s openness is already making an impact. By sharing their story, Norton and Jordon hope to foster understanding for the Usher community, attract much-needed research funding, and inspire empathy among the wider public. Many families affected by rare diseases face isolation, and public figures like Norton can offer representation and hope.
As awareness grows, the actor’s journey serves as both a call to action and a testament to resilience—reminding us of the power of shared stories in driving change, supporting families, and advancing medical research in often-overlooked areas.