Reggie’s Heartfelt Words Leave Matty J in Tears on I’m A Celebrity!

During yesterday’s installment of I’m A Celebrity, I found myself moved to tears by nothing more than a simple three-word phrase from Reggie Bird. It was a powerful moment that highlighted the deep connections formed within this unique jungle setting.

The two-time Big Brother Australia winner, 50, is legally blind. 

In my world, I grapple with the challenges posed by Retinitis Pigmentosa, a seldom-encountered, progressive eye condition that significantly impacts my eyesight, and Usher Syndrome at stage two, a peculiarity that robs me of my hearing abilities.

Matty posed a question that might seem quite straightforward given your keen vision: ‘Are you afraid?’ he inquired of her.

At the moment, Reggie compares her sight to peering through a narrow tube, and medical professionals have warned her that it’s possible she may open her eyes one day and find herself completely blind.

Matty, aged 37 and a parent of two young children, inquired from Reggie about what she might miss the most; her honest reply left him unable to hold back his tears.

‘Seeing the kids,’ she replied.

Reggie’s current spouse, Dave Sorenson, along with her are the proud parents of a 18-year-old daughter named Mia and a 15-year-old son called Lucas.

She momentarily stopped, giving Matty and herself some time to contemplate the weighty reality. Essentially, she was expressing, ‘Well, it’s true, I will surely feel their absence.’

The Bachelor star’s eyes welled up with tears for her. 

‘I never know when I’ll have my last day when I can see again,’ she told him. 

On that upcoming day, I feel incredibly fortunate to be present, experiencing and remembering all these wonderful sights, making the best of every moment.

Matty, already on the verge of tears, said ‘that makes me want to cry.’ 

Reggie quickly apologised, which Matty waived off, as he wrapped her up in a bear hug. 

Reggie told Matty ‘I think I reckon I will probably change when it is all totally gone.’ 

‘I won’t be able to do as much as what I do now.’ 

In 2022, Reggie went back to Big Brother, having won the show way back in 2003, and on both occasions, he departed as a champion.

2003 saw her winning a quarter of a million dollars and relocating to Sydney in pursuit of fresh job prospects. However, due to her reputation from reality TV, she’s found it challenging to secure employment.

Because her health condition is not visible to others, Reggie admitted that she frequently experiences cyberbullying, as some individuals falsely claim that she’s feigning her ailment.

In response to a video I shared on social media, showing me dancing, someone commented, “I didn’t think she could dance given that she is blind,” the mother of two stated.

‘People need to be educated that blindness is a spectrum.

As a lifestyle expert, let me clarify a common misconception: Just because someone is blind doesn’t mean they must don large black spectacles and lead a sedentary life indoors. This notion is often perpetuated in people’s minds, but it couldn’t be further from the truth about blindness. It’s essential to break down these misconceptions and promote understanding.

Since I constantly strive to persevere, there may be times when I experience setbacks due to my relentless efforts.

In a piece-to-camera interview filmed after the conversation, Matty broke down again.   

Given Reggie’s experiences, she’s a mother who is deeply concerned that her vision loss might prevent her from ever seeing her children again.

In the year 2024, Matty and his wife Laura Byrne invested a significant amount, approximately $2.19 million, on a dilapidated property, commonly referred to as a ‘blue chip’ home, located in Ulladulla. This is approximately 230 kilometers south of Sydney. The purchase marked the beginning of an extensive renovation project for them.

In October, the pair augmented their substantial collection of seaside real estate holdings by acquiring a rundown oceanfront property. Earlier in the week, he expressed some concerns over the scale of this particular endeavor.

‘All of a sudden, my struggles seem so insignificant,’ he said. 

In a touching scene, both Matty and Reggie were highly commended by the audience for their genuine sincerity and emotional depth.

One spectator commented, “‘BALLING’ indeed! It was a poignant yet moving instant shared by those two. Matt J truly possesses a golden heart.

‘Reggie always have a way of making you feel what she feels,’ said another. 

A third tagged Matty and told him ‘How you held space for Reggie was so special.’ 

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2025-01-22 03:24

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