‘Real Housewives’ Star’s Son Diagnosed with Rare Disease

Emily Simpson, star of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” is facing one of her most difficult personal battles as her son Luke deals with a rare medical condition. The upcoming Season 19 of the Bravo series will document Emily’s journey as she navigates this challenging chapter with her family.

According to Emily’s BravoTV.com bio, she “takes on one of the biggest challenges of her life when one of her sons is diagnosed with a rare medical condition.” The emotional weight of this situation is evident in the Season 19 trailer, where Emily opens up about the impact on their family.

“Luke, he’s sad, and it breaks my heart,” Emily tells her husband, Shane Simpson, in the trailer footage. The stress of managing her son’s health crisis has left Emily feeling overwhelmed, as she later adds, “I have a son that’s in crisis, and I feel alone in that.”

Emily has three children with Shane: twin sons Luke and Keller, who turned 10 years old in February, and their 11-year-old daughter Annabelle. Luke’s twin brother Keller also had health challenges at birth. He required time in the NICU, while Luke was able to go home immediately after delivery.

Supporting Her Son

Despite the current difficulties, Emily has consistently expressed her deep love for her children, particularly her strong connection with her twin sons. In a recent birthday tribute for Luke and Keller, she shared heartfelt sentiments about motherhood on social media.

“Being a boy mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Emily wrote in the February post on Instagram. “There is no love like the love between a mother and her sons. Thank you for being my best friends, my sweet angels and the loves of my life.”

The Ohio native has been transparent about the joys and challenges of raising her children. In her birthday message, she reflected on their birth experience, writing: “Luke was strong and could go home with me…but Keller had to stay in the NICU” before the family was eventually reunited at home.

The Simpson family has also recently welcomed a foster dog named Cindi in September 2024, joining their existing family pet Togo. These additions show Emily’s commitment to creating a nurturing environment for her children during this challenging time.

Emily’s Marriage Under Pressure

The stress of dealing with Luke’s health situation appears to be affecting Emily and Shane’s marriage, as seen in the Season 19 trailer where Emily tearfully states, “We’re gonna end up divorced.” However, Emily has also shared positive updates about their relationship, suggesting they’re working through these challenges together.

Emily and Shane celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary this past Valentine’s Day, with Emily sharing a thoughtful reflection on their relationship journey. “16 years ago we married at the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas without a lot of forethought or planning,” she wrote. “We didn’t really date first, it was just a giant leap of faith into the unknown.”

She acknowledged that their marriage hasn’t always been easy, describing it as sometimes “hard, emotional, trying, draining and challenging.” However, Emily emphasized their commitment to each other and their family, stating: “But we made commitments to each other and we stuck to it. Through the really dark times and through the really amazing times.”

Emily particularly praised Shane’s role as a father during these difficult times. “Having a front row seat to watch you parenting our children with such care, love, grace and respect touches my heart in ways I can’t even explain,” she continued.

The couple’s approach to handling Luke’s health challenges while maintaining their family stability will likely be a central storyline in the upcoming season, offering viewers an intimate look at how families cope with unexpected medical situations.

Season 19 of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” premieres Thursday, July 10th at 9/8c on Bravo, giving fans the opportunity to follow Emily’s journey as she faces this significant family challenge.