The Real Housewives of Orange County is returning for Season 20 on July 9th. Many issues will resurface and be discussed when the show comes back, and Emily Simpson is ready. The RHOC star is giving a huge update on her son, Luke, after a very difficult time. Keep reading for more on what the mother of three had to say and how he is doing amid multiple diagnoses.
Emily Simpson Struggled With Her Son
Since Emily Simpson joined RHOC in Season 13, she had problems in her personal life. Her husband, Shane Simpson, often talked down to her. Then, Emily, being an alpha female, appeared to be the breadwinner as she was a full-time attorney. However, Shane had yet to pass the California bar. He finally secluded himself, leaving Emily to raise their three children so he could study, but this put a strain on their already rocky marriage. Her weight was also a constant struggle for her, and she became obsessed with perfection.
However, all of that has fallen by the wayside when one of Emily’s twin sons, Luke, began to struggle. As it turned out, he was diagnosed with ADHD, ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), OCD, and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders). Emily was extremely proactive in calling doctors and working with the school, whereas Shane was much more lax. That caused more problems when she was constantly worrying about her son. It also impacted his twin, Keller, who then wanted to go to therapy. So, how is Luke faring ahead of Season 20?
The RHOC star had this to say about his progress:
“He’s doing much better. He goes to a new school now, so we’ve really found what works for him.”
It also seems that Emily and Shane are learning how to work together differently. She noted that their parenting style has changed because of how their three kids need them:
“We’ve had to parent differently. He’s completely different than the other children. He has different needs.”
Raising Awareness
Although some parents may not have told their child’s story publicly, the RHOC stands by her decision to be candid. Emily Simpson has no regrets about being open and honest about what Luke was going through. She shared that she has received so many messages from mothers who have learned from Emily and can treat their children:
“I still, a year later, get DMs from moms saying, ‘I didn’t know about PANDAS, but now I know. I took my kid to the doctor, they got a diagnosis. You’re the reason I did that.’ I’m not talking one, I’m talking lots and lots and lots of messages.”
She has changed so many lives through Luke’s story, and that makes it worth it. Hopefully, Emily can now give parents hope that things can get better as time goes by.
Have you been following what Luke has been going through, and are you happy that he is doing so much better? Let us know your thoughts and stream RHOC on Peacock.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
