Jesy Nelson Reveals Heartbreaking SMA Diagnosis for Twin Daughters: “They May Never Walk”
Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has opened up about the serious health challenges her twin daughters are facing. In an Instagram video shared on Sunday, Nelson revealed that her daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare and severe genetic condition that affects the muscles.
“It does affect every muscle in the body, down to legs, arms, breathing, swallowing,” Nelson explained. She said that early on, she noticed her daughters were moving less than expected and struggling to feed. After months of medical appointments, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London confirmed the SMA type 1 diagnosis.
“Essentially, what it does is, over time, it kills the muscles in the body, and if it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two,” she said. Nelson added that her daughters would likely “never be able to walk” or regain full neck strength, meaning they will face lifelong disabilities.
Since the diagnosis, Nelson has been caring for her daughters closely, even using breathing machines to help them. She said she is grateful for the treatments they have received. “Because if they don’t have it, they will die,” she said. Despite the severity, she remains hopeful. “They will fight this. I believe they will defy all the odds,” she said. Nelson also shared her story to encourage early diagnosis for other children.
Nelson, 34, gave birth to the twins prematurely at 31 weeks last May with musician Zion Foster. She previously spoke about complications during her pregnancy and expressed pride in her body after the birth.
SMA is a progressive muscle-wasting condition that can be fatal if untreated. A gene therapy called Zolgensma was approved by the NHS in 2021 to treat babies with the disease, but timing is critical. Currently, routine newborn screening for SMA is only carried out if a sibling is affected. According to SMA UK, about 47 babies were born with the condition in the UK in 2024, and roughly one in 40 people carry the gene that can cause SMA.
Jesy Nelson’s heartfelt revelation highlights the challenges of SMA and the importance of early detection. Her courage in sharing her family’s journey may inspire others to seek treatment quickly and raise awareness about the condition.
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