'My brave boy': Wife of footy champion Gary Ablett Jr shares heartbreaking photo as she rushes her son to hospital – as his famous father leaves his team's AFL hub to instead be with his family
- Jordan Ablett posted photo of 17-month-old Levi in car at a Melbourne hospital
- Ablett family revealed on Instagram Levi lives with a rare, degenerative disease
- Gary Ablett Jnr left Perth's AFL hub to return to his family and be with his son
- Geelong football manager Simon Llloyd says club supports him best they can
The young son of AFL star Gary Ablett Jr has been rushed to hospital as he continues to battle a rare degenerative disease.
Ablett's wife Jordan posted a heartbreaking photo to Instagram on Friday of her son Levi, smiling and buckled into the backseat, on the way to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne.
'My brave boy,' the caption read.
The photo came just hours before Ablett announced he was leaving Geelong's hub in Perth, deciding to return home to be with his son and therefore miss the team's next two AFL games.
Jordan Ablett posted to her Instagram on Friday the photo of a smiling Levi, who is living with a rare, degenerative disease, buckled into the backseat of the family car at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne
The Ablett's revealed in an Instagram post their young son is fighting a rare illness after the Geelong Cats superstar played his 350th match earlier this month
'He's made the decision to return home and obviously as a football club and the AFL, we totally support that on compassionate grounds and you'll find that this may happen across the competition in coming weeks, at different times,' Geelong football manager Simon Lloyd told ABC.
'I think Gary's intention is to return to the hub at some stage but again this is something that we'll work and stay in contact with Gary.
'He spoke to the playing group and he said that he wants to get back and get playing.'
The Ablett's revealed in an Instagram post their young son is fighting a rare illness after the Geelong Cats superstar played his 350th match earlier this month.
'Yesterday was a very special day and I'd just like to say a big thank you to everyone for your messages of support and encouragement,' Ablett's post reads.
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'To reach this milestone was extra special for my family and I for a number of reasons.
'In the recent months, my wife and I have privately fought and continue to fight some pretty tough battles. Some of you might already know that Jordan is caring for her mum as she battles with cancer. But what many of you don't know is that our son has been recently diagnosed with a rare and degenerative disease.
'After a great amount of thought and consideration, we decided that it's time to share this with you. We thank you for your love and support and want to emphasise just how grateful we are to be Levi's parents.
'He is a true blessing to us and our family and we love him so deeply. Anyone who knows him knows how full of joy he is and how he always has a smile on his face.
Ablett (pictured with Levi and his wife Jordan) played his 350th AFL game for Geelong earlier this month
Gary Ablett Jnr revealed his son Levi (pictured together) has been diagnosed with a rare disease
'I would also like to thank the Geelong football club for the way you have cared for our family throughout this time, always ensuring that we feel loved and fully supported.
'The biggest thank you needs to go to my wife, Jordan. Without you I wouldn't have made it to 350 games. All of those nights looking after our boy, allowing me to get a good nights sleep before main training and games.
'The many things that you do for Levi and I all the while hurting and caring for your mum and also trying to get your head around Levi's diagnosis. You're so strong and resilient... I love you Jordan.'
Ablett's post was followed with an open letter to the 17-month-old uploaded on Jordan's Instagram account.
'To our dearest Levi, words will never be enough to express just how full our hearts are of love for you,' the post reads.
Jordan Ablett with her son Levi who is living with a rare, degenerative disease
'You've only been with us for a short while but you've already taught us more than some people learn in a lifetime.
'Although it has been a difficult journey and start to life, your diagnosis does not take away any ounce of our love for you. Your joy is contagious and not even this disease is able to steal it from you. We pray for you every day and we will continue to take each day as it comes.
'You are so loved by all of the people in your world and you are and will continue to be a true miracle.
'We have no doubt that we are your parents for a reason, and we feel a strong sense of privilege to be entrusted with such a great and precious responsibility.
'We don't know what our future holds together but we do know that you'll never have to feel alone.'
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