Home and Away star Georgie Parker, who shot to fame playing Roo, has opened up on her health battle which has seen her lose “three inches of height”.
The actress was thrust into the limelight after joining the iconic soap in 2010 as Roo Stewart. Her character is the daughter of Alf Stewart, played by Ray Meagher, and Martha, played by Belinda Gibson.
The 58 year old took over the role from Justine Clarke, and has held onto it ever since. After a shocking storyline centred on corrupt cosmetics company Stunning Organics resulted in an explosion, her character Roo could be set for further devastation.
In upcoming scenes, she fears she’s been paralysed as a result of the blast and subsequent fall out, revealing she’s unable to feel her legs. Things only get worse when she stops breathing on her own after her blood pressure drops.
Actress Georgie has dealt with her own health struggles throughout the majority of her life. A diagnosis of scoliosis halted her dreams of becoming a dancer. She was diagnosed with the condition, which can affect people at any age but is more common in those aged 10-15, when she was 13 years old.
While her Home and Away character was recovering from kidney donor surgery, Georgie was open about her own health issues. Speaking to Body+Soul back in 2020, the star opened up about her experience with scoliosis, which is where the spine twists and curves to the side.
She said: “Every scoliosis is different, it's like a fingerprint – but mine is all in the torso, I've lost about three inches in height.” Elaborating, she continued: “I have to do a lot of strength training. I do a lot of swimming. During COVID, I took up ocean swimming and it has been exhilarating.
“It’s been freezing, but actually part of the fun of it is being uncomfortable. Don’t ask me why. It has been amazing for my mental health – doing something hard.”
In 2017, she told Now To Love : "It impacts me on a daily basis and I just have to stay fit to keep my back as functional as possible. I've never resented [having scoliosis] and it's made me realise how lucky I am that, while I have this significant challenge, I can still live my life pretty much how I want to."
Georgie is married to successful author and screenwriter Steve Worland.
The pair tied the knot in 1999 and welcomed a daughter, Holly, in 2000. Steve is best known for writing the popular 2014 Australian family film Paper Planes, which starred Avatar actor Sam Worthington.
Follow OK! on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@ok_mag
Source: Read Full Article
