A social media post by two-time Big Brother Australia winner Regina Sorensen — better known as Reggie Bird — has prompted an outpouring of love from her fans.
Reggie was declared legally blind after being diagnosed with a rare degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Reggie Bird gives fans an idea of what life with retinitis pigmentosa is like.
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On Thursday, the popular reality TV star noted the fact that it was Rare Disease Day by sharing a photo of her with her son Lucas, who has cystic fibrosis.
“Today is rare disease day, both myself and Lucas live with a rare health condition,” she wrote.
“Lucas having Cystic Fibrosis, a lung disease, and myself having retinitis pigmentosa, an eye disease.
“Both suck beyond words!
“But we live each day as it comes and never take anything for granted 🙌.”
Speaking on the Dr Golly and the Experts podcast in October 2023, Reggie said Lucas had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when he was four weeks old.
Now he is 14, with Bird saying she had faced an “unrelenting” battle to keep her son alive.
“It affects the whole digestive system and it affects the liver, the kidneys, everything in their bodies,” she explained.
As for her own health, Reggie also suffers from Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disease which is connected to retinitis pigmentosa and causes major vision and hearing loss.
Her Rare Disease Day post garnered a many comments wishing her and her son well.
“You’re both amazing Reggie. Sending big hugs 🤗 and love ❤ to you both,” one fan wrote.
“You are an amazing person Reggie. Doing this all on your own with your vision impairments. You inspire me and have for many years,” agreed another.
“You’ve both been dealt an unfair hand … no parent wants to see their children struggle or suffer,” added a third.
“You can be proud of what you’ve achieved and the joy you bring to strangers and friends around the world.
“All the best to you both.🌻.”
One fan described Reggie as a “warrior”, while another said she should be “so proud” of her strength and the way in which she had managed her various health struggles.
The popular TV personality won the inaugural Australian version of Big Brother back in 2003.
In 2022, she won Big Brother again, as celebrities mixed with regulars in the BB House.
Now based in Queensland, Reggie keeps her fans updated with regular posts detailing her life.
Last year she shared her desire to travel and see the world “before it’s too late” and she lost her vision altogether.
In September, she posted a picture of herself in front of a scenic backdrop of mountaintops and blue sky, holding her mobility aid.
“Want to go away again and see as much as I can before it’s too late,” she captioned the post.
Fans responded with their encouragement for her to see the world.
“Enjoy every moment day by day and build as many memories as you can … if you want to go away again then do it, don’t have any regrets,” one said.
“Go for it, Reggie. Enjoy life while you feel this way,” wrote another.
“Life is too short. Follow your dreams my friend.”
Speaking to 7Life in 2022, Reggie said the knowledge that she would eventually lose her hearing and vision was a difficult thing to grasp.
The mother-of-two (Reggie also has a daughter, Mia), said there was a feeling of “dread, knowing that day is going to come”.
“I just want to make the best of every day while I can before it does, but when that time comes, I’ve got things put into place,” she said.
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