Jay & Pamela: Couple with Brittle Bone Disease Thrive Despite Limited Mobility: 'You Don't Use It, You Lose It' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Jay Manuel, 28, and Pamela Chavez, 30, were both born withosteogenesis imperfectatype 3 — often calledbrittle bone disease. The rare genetic bone disorder makes people more susceptible to breaking and fracturing bones and leads to bone deformities and a curved spine, according toJohns Hopkins Medicine.Combined, the couple has had more than 400 bone fractures throughout their lives and navigate the world in motorized wheelchairs.After meeting online and falling in love, Jay and Pamela are engaged and live together with Jay’s parents. With hopes of moving out and living on their own, they try to keep a positive attitude as they look toward the future, despite their disorders hampering their independence.In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at the premiere of their new reality series,Jay & Pamela,the couple visit a specialist to discuss their health.In the clip, they joke about how Dr. Dana Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon, was taking note of everything they struggle with, including weak wrists, curved spine, sitting balance and ankle mobility.“When it comes to Dr. Olszewski examining our bodies, we’re not Superman and Superwoman, as we found out,” Jay quips.Jay and Pamela.TLCThe PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!During the appointment, Olszewski told the pair that they need to be getting more calcium in their diets, which will help with strengthening their bones.“With osteogenesis imperfecta, there is an increased risk of blood clots. There is an increased risk of wound healing issues,” Olszewski explains in a confessional. “The most common cause of death is usually lung issues, as scoliosis can perpetuate a very small lung volume. So unfortunately that can lead to a clot that travels up and into the lungs that can be obviously fatal.”Jay & Pamela.TLCNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We need to move,” she warns the couple. “The fact that now you’re not really doing much of anything or you’ve slowed down your activity, it’s like a vicious cycle. So you’re going to start to lose the ability to do things. You’re losing muscle strength and weakness can lead to more pain.”Jay and Pamela admit that working on their mobility can be a challenge but they don’t want to get to a point where they are restricted.“I deal with a lot of chronic pain, so us getting active and physical is really hard for both of us,” Jay says. “But she mentioned several times, you know, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’ and we don’t want to lose it.”Jay & Pamelapremieres Tuesday, March 4 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

Jay Manuel, 28, and Pamela Chavez, 30, were both born withosteogenesis imperfectatype 3 — often calledbrittle bone disease. The rare genetic bone disorder makes people more susceptible to breaking and fracturing bones and leads to bone deformities and a curved spine, according toJohns Hopkins Medicine.

Combined, the couple has had more than 400 bone fractures throughout their lives and navigate the world in motorized wheelchairs.

After meeting online and falling in love, Jay and Pamela are engaged and live together with Jay’s parents. With hopes of moving out and living on their own, they try to keep a positive attitude as they look toward the future, despite their disorders hampering their independence.

In PEOPLE’s exclusive look at the premiere of their new reality series,Jay & Pamela,the couple visit a specialist to discuss their health.

In the clip, they joke about how Dr. Dana Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon, was taking note of everything they struggle with, including weak wrists, curved spine, sitting balance and ankle mobility.

“When it comes to Dr. Olszewski examining our bodies, we’re not Superman and Superwoman, as we found out,” Jay quips.

Jay and Pamela.TLC

TLC

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

During the appointment, Olszewski told the pair that they need to be getting more calcium in their diets, which will help with strengthening their bones.

“With osteogenesis imperfecta, there is an increased risk of blood clots. There is an increased risk of wound healing issues,” Olszewski explains in a confessional. “The most common cause of death is usually lung issues, as scoliosis can perpetuate a very small lung volume. So unfortunately that can lead to a clot that travels up and into the lungs that can be obviously fatal.”

Jay & Pamela.TLC

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We need to move,” she warns the couple. “The fact that now you’re not really doing much of anything or you’ve slowed down your activity, it’s like a vicious cycle. So you’re going to start to lose the ability to do things. You’re losing muscle strength and weakness can lead to more pain.”

Jay and Pamela admit that working on their mobility can be a challenge but they don’t want to get to a point where they are restricted.

“I deal with a lot of chronic pain, so us getting active and physical is really hard for both of us,” Jay says. “But she mentioned several times, you know, ‘If you don’t use it, you lose it,’ and we don’t want to lose it.”

Jay & Pamelapremieres Tuesday, March 4 at 10 p.m. ET on TLC.

source: people.com