Laura Norton and Mark Jordon want to ‘change the world’ after childrens’ diagnoses with Usher Syndrome

Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and Mark Jordon have vowed to continue their fight to ‘change the world’ and help find a cure for Usher Syndrome.

The loving parents, best known as Kerry Wyatt and Daz Spencer respectively, have two children who were diagnosed with the condition.

Son Jesse, who was welcomed earlier this year, and daughter Ronnie, who was born in October 2022, have the rare genetic condition that affects both hearing and vision.

Usher syndrome causes deafness or hearing loss, and an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Sometimes, it also causes problems with balance.

People with the disease tend to get diagnosed as children or teenagers and while there is no cure for it, there are treatments to help manage vision, hearing and balance problems..

‘My intuition told me there was a serious problem [with Ronnie] and I was in tears at the thought of it,’ Laura revealed in a previous episode of Loose Women.

However, they didn’t know it was Usher syndrome specifically until Laura was pregnant with their second child.

The couple have been determined since to find a cure for the disease, supporting the charity and raising both awareness and funds.

‘CUREUsher is a charity that supports funding and research for Usher Syndrome, which both of our children were diagnosed with, and we’re on a mission to change the world,’ fiercely determined mum Laura declared.

‘When we first got the diagnosis, we had never heart of it,’ Mark continued. None of friends of family had – we have learnt as we have went along, it’s a very rare condition and unique disease.

‘Our idea with CUREUsher is to make that change, try and raise as much awareness. We have a platform and we will do everything we can.’

Addressing the love and support they have had, Laura said: ‘We have called on every friend we have, asked them to get here, and every single one has.

‘I’m really emotional tonight seeing it all come together and seeing how many people love and care.’

‘It’s really powerful to have such friends,’ Mark smiled. ‘It’s a joyous thing. And there are so many people working behind the scenes giving hours of advice and help. We’re very lucky!’

Mark jokingly added: ‘I am going to be cleaning cars and cleaning up dog poo for years to come. We’re really, really grateful. We just want to help our kiddies, it’s time we stood up and did something.’

You can find out more about Usher Syndrome and give support by visiting the website of CUREUsher.

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