Reality TV stars Ashley and J.P. Rosenbaum met on the set of The Bachelorette and fell in love. Although they’ve since divorced, the pair share two beautiful children together. Shortly after the birth of their daughter Essex, one of Ashley’s many social media followers pointed out that she may have had a health problem, urging her to take the baby to be seen.
Season 7 Bachelorette Falls in Love
Running for nearly 30 seasons, The Bachelor is one of the most talked about reality TV series of all time. In fact, it did so well that numerous spin-offs have been produced, one being The Bachelorette. First airing in 2003, the show has done incredibly well itself, holding the public’s attention.
Although the fairy-tale forever is not always guaranteed, participants do almost assuredly walk away with something from the show—a fan base. As a result, Season 7 Bachelorette Ashley Hebert, quickly learned there was an issue with her daughter’s health and has since been able to give Essex the support she needed.
Welcoming Two Babies
Ashley and J.P. Rosenbaum met in 2011 on the 7th season of the show and married the following year. They welcomed their son, Fordham, in September of 2014, then Essex 2 years later. She was born on November 4 in Miami, Florida.
Like many parents, Ashley posted updates of Fordham, which only continued after Essex was born. Although the pair were no strangers to overlooking negativity, something about one comment from a seemingly know-it-all all parent actually turned out to be exactly what the new-again-parents needed to hear.
One concerned follower noted that Essex’s head tilted, or rotated in her pictures. After the worried follower disclosed that her son had the same symptom and was diagnosed with Torticollis, Ashley and J.P. reconsidered. “I read and was like, ‘Oh whatever,’ but then I was like, ‘Oh my God, this person is right.’ I got her checked out and she had it. We got the baby helmet and everything!” She said during an interview with People.
Understanding Torticollis
Torticollis, also called Wryneck, is a condition that most commonly occurs in the womb. However, it can occur after birth or during childhood and is then known as ‘Acquired Torticollis.’ The condition leads the head to tilt uncontrollably or at an odd angle. Other signs and symptoms may include limited neck and head motion, tight or swollen muscles, severe pain, head tremors, and uneven facial features. Although in the Rosenbaum’s case, Essex was the second-born child, according to Johns Hopkins University, she is of the minority as most babies born with the condition are the firstborn.
It’s unknown what exactly causes Torticollis, particularly when it is ‘acquired.’ However, seemingly the most common cause is trauma from inside the womb, such as injury during birth or how the baby was positioned during the pregnancy. It has been noted that in some cases, other birth defects, such as fibrosis, hematoma, or Klippel-Feil, can also affect Torticollis.
Treatment Options
Torticollis can also affect other parts of the body, such as the G.I., often causing GERD or problems with vision and adverse reactions to certain medications. There are various treatments for the condition, including stretches and exercise or the corrective helmet like Essex had. In extreme cases, specialists may be brought in, such as a Physiatrist, someone who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. As well as a Pediatric Neurologist or Orthopedic Surgeon.
Some stretches include playtime activities such as “Active” tummy time, with a ball or other toy that encourages the baby to try to hold their head up. Engaging play, where you hold a toy and move it around forcing the baby to work head and neck muscles in order to keep an eye on the object, can also be helpful in alleviating symptoms of Torticollis.
Commenting on the Future
The couple were married for eight years before finally calling it quits. J.P. disclosed their public announcement was “just a formality,” and they had already agreed with the separation. “There wasn’t infidelity. And there weren’t any issues that triggered the announcement. … There was no drama associated with it.” He told US Weekly. “We were together, I mean, nine years, 10 years, whatever it was. And we will be in each other’s life forever. And we got two amazing, amazing children out of it. I wouldn’t change anything, obviously. We’re both in pretty good places.”
Although people love getting swept up in the drama of other people’s lives, more than just here to entertain or amuse fans, there is another benefit to keeping up with those in the public eye. After they discovered their daughter’s condition, by posting about it and sharing it with others, they’ve been able to shed light on the condition. In turn, they are reminding others who are facing the same fears as parents that with the right kind of support in place, a child battling Torticollis, can easily overcome those hurdles.
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Sources
- “Torticollis.” Cleveland Clinic
- “Exercises: Right Torticollis Positioning for Play.” Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- “Torticollis (Wryneck). John’s Hopkins
- “J.P. Rosenbaum on Dating After Divorce, Why He and Ex Ashley Hebert Are Still a ‘Bachelorette’ Success Story.” US Weekly. Sarah Hearon. April 12, 2022.
- “J.P. and Ashley Rosenbaum Reveal a Social Media Commenter Told Them Their Daughter Had Torticollis.” People. Helen Murphy & Becky Randel June 11, 2019.
- “J.P. and Ashley Hebert Rosenbaum Welcome Daughter Essex Reese.” People. Ali Nahas and Jen Juneau. December 2, 2020.