In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Little People, Big World star Zach Roloff recently underwent emergency brain surgery after dealing with terrifying migraines that led to a faulty shunt. The 33-year-old reality star, who has a form of dwarfism called diastrophic dysplasia, had a shunt placed in his brain to drain fluid down to his stomach to be reabsorbed. However, in February 2023, Zach’s shunt had two breaks in it, causing him to experience the worst migraines of his life.
Zach’s wife, Tori, 32, recalled the moment she saw her husband in unbearable pain. “I’ve never seen Zach in that much pain before,” she said in an exclusive interview with news person. “He feared he was ‘dying’ with the faulty shunt. We’ve been sitting on a knife’s edge, and we just didn’t know it.”
The couple, who share four children, were aware that the lifespan of a shunt is 2-15 years. However, they didn’t expect it to fail so soon. “We were on borrowed time,” Tori added.
Zach was rushed to the hospital after waking up with a headache that got progressively worse and caused him to vomit. During recovery, he admitted that his bones and muscles were aching. Tori also recalled the moment her husband’s heart rate dropped, and he “scared me” when he “sobbed [and] screamed” during the health scare.
The father of four admitted that his condition is “more intense with the kids” and that he thinks about them all the time. “They want to have their daddy for a while,” he said. “Dads should not create this much inconvenience for their family… this is not the season of life for dad not to operate.”
Although his shunt was successfully replaced, Zach admitted that it’s “triggering” every time he gets a headache now. “It [would be] super sad to think that Tori would have to explain to [the kids] why isn’t dad here,” he said.
Despite the health scare, Zach is on the mend and grateful for his wife’s unwavering support. “Tori rallied hard and took care of the kids when I was recovering,” he said.
The couple, who have been open about their struggles in the past, hope that their story will inspire others to prioritize their health and seek medical attention when necessary.
In addition to the emotional toll that the health scare took on Zach and his family, the financial burden of medical procedures and recovery can also be significant. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the average cost of a hospital stay in the United States is around $10,700, and that number can quickly rise with the need for specialized care or follow-up procedures.
For those with chronic health conditions or disabilities, the cost of medical care can be a significant source of stress and anxiety. In the United States, for example, individuals with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty than those without disabilities, according to the Census Bureau.
Zach and Tori have been open about the challenges they face as a family, including the financial burden of medical care. In a 2021 interview with PEOPLE, Tori discussed the couple’s decision to move to Washington from Oregon to be closer to a specialized medical team for their son, Jackson, who also has dwarfism.
“We’re just trying to do what’s best for our family,” Tori said at the time. “It’s not easy, but we’re taking it one day at a time.”
The couple has also been vocal about the importance of raising awareness for the dwarfism community and advocating for greater inclusivity and accessibility. In a 2020 interview with PEOPLE, Zach discussed the challenges of navigating the world in a wheelchair and the need for greater accessibility in public spaces.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators,” he said. “It’s about creating a world where everyone can participate and feel included, regardless of their abilities.”
As Zach continues to recover from his surgery, he and his family remain committed to raising awareness and advocating for greater inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals with disabilities.
