TLC’s Jay & Pamela introduced many viewers for the first time to osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, the super-rare genetic disorder stars Jay Manuel and Pamela Chavez were born with. Naturally, fans have many questions about the rare bone condition, including if Jay and Pamela are able to expand their family by having children.

What Is Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3?

Osteogenesis imperfecta, known as brittle bone disease, “is an inherited (genetic) bone disorder that is present at birth,” according to John Hopkins Medicine. The disorder is passed through the genes and can be inherited from one or both parents.

Most babies with the condition have a defect of one of two genes, which play a major role in collagen production. This genetic defect leads to a deficiency of collagen, a key component of connective tissue that supports the body, resulting in brittle bones that break easily.

Can People With Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3 Have Kids?

People with osteogenesis imperfecta type 3 can have kids, according to the Brittle Bone Society. Women with the disorder are able to carry a child depending on their symptoms. Couples with one person who has OI have a 50% chance of having a child with OI.

Jay and Pamela Connected Over Their Rare Condition

Jay and Pamela met online and dated long-distance for a year before Pamela moved in with Jay and his parents.

“Our condition is super rare,” Jay explained during season 1 of Jay & Pamela, which premiered on TLC on March 4, 2025. “My parents were told I wouldn’t make it past 5 years old.”

As for Pamela, she said that doctors gave her “less time” and estimated she would “die before the age of 1 year old.” The pair revealed that between them, they’ve had more than 400 fractures.

“It can be something as simple as rolling out of bed, taking a deep breath,” he explained, to which Pamela admitted, “I literally have a broken rib right now.”

“With osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, it causes fragile bones. So we break easily,” she concluded.

Does Pamela Chavez Want Children With Jay Manuel?

The couple opened up about their future and the possibility of kids in a March 2025 interview with Parade.

“It’s conversations that we’ve had about it and I think again, it’s taking it one day at a time … We’re taking it step by step even though we don’t take any steps,” Jay joked. “But we’re talking it step by step with everything and defining that family unit for us … It’s definitely something that we’ve talked about and discussed.”

Meanwhile, Pamela hinted that babies could possibly be in their future.

“It’s not off the table at all,” Pamela interjected. “It’s an ongoing conversation, and I mean just in general, I mean, parenthood is already a huge responsibility in general … So yeah, I don’t know, there’s a lot of things that I said I would never do and then like, here I am.”

Jay & Pamela airs Tuesday on TLC at 10 p.m. ET