Jordan Ablett says her son Levi, who suffers from a rare genetic disease, has taught her more about perspective than he will ever know.

Jordan and her husband, legendary AFL player Gary, had shared sparing details about Levi’s degenerative condition until revealing it to be Menkes recently.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jordan Ablett shares inspiring perspective on son Levi.

Menkes is a recessive disorder that affects copper metabolism, which causes neurodegeneration and connective tissue problems. It is considered fatal and has no cure, but there are treatment methods which manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, Jordan said even without speaking in his six years of life, Levi has already given so much to his parents.

“Sometimes as parents, we kind of envision the perfect outcome, and we create these scenarios in our head as though they’re going to happen and as though they’re guaranteed,” she said.

“But I think having Levi has taught me that nothing is guaranteed in life and all we really have is today, and it’s about making the most of each day, and not holding so tightly onto the things in this world and our dreams and desires, because they’re just not guaranteed, they’re not promised to us, so it’s about holding those things loosely and then being able to adapt when the plan changes.”

Jordan said the strength of her relationship with Gary, who played 357 games in the AFL for Geelong and Gold Coast, has been crucial to navigating the tough times.

“To be honest with you, we’ve definitely had our lows, and I really feel for other parents that are raising a child with a disability because I get it, I fully get it, and there are so many layers,” Jordan said, before choking back a tear as she went on.

“I think people from the outside might... sorry... kind of presume that it’s so heavily physical, but it’s so mental as well.

“But I could not have asked for a better husband and a better father to raise Levi and to spend my life with.

“He’s been absolutely incredible; not once has he ever made it about him and about those plans and those things that we anticipated — that’s just irrelevant.

“He has been incredible at embracing our life now and we’re both so excited for our future with Levi as well.

“It’s not just about what we’ve lost, but it’s about almost what we’ve gained as well.”

Recalling the moment she learned of Levi’s condition, Jordan said it was all a whirlwind.

“It was so long ago that it’s hard to recall those really intense emotions, but it was just something that I never anticipated that I would ever find myself trying to navigate.

“It was such a struggle, particularly when I knew something wasn’t quite right but I just couldn’t put a finger on it.

“And so, I guess it was more the waiting, sitting in the unknown, and just trying to get as much advice as possible, holding on to hope as long as possible as well. And then when that diagnosis came in 2020, which also coincided with lockdown, it’s just such a vivid memory that I have.

“It was tough, but thankfully I was just surrounded by the most amazing people in my friends and family, and even the greater community was incredible.”

Jordan Ablett’s memoir One Day at a Time is out now.