Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has shared that her twin daughters may never walk after being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1). The 34-year-old and her fiancé Zion Foster welcomed Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May, born prematurely at 31 weeks.
In an emotional Instagram video posted on Sunday, Nelson said the girls were diagnosed after four months of hospital appointments. She explained that SMA1 means they are unlikely to regain neck strength or walk, and will likely be disabled. However, she expressed gratitude that the twins have received treatment, without which they would not survive.
Nelson urged parents to look for signs of SMA, including floppiness, inability to hold themselves up, frog-like leg positioning, and rapid abdominal breathing. She stressed that early detection is critical, as time is of the essence for treatment. The NHS reports around 70 children are born with SMA annually in the UK, and without treatment, fewer than 8% survive to age two.
The singer said the diagnosis came after her mother noticed reduced leg movement in the twins, followed by feeding difficulties. Initially told not to worry due to prematurity, Nelson described the past months as the most heartbreaking time of her life. She remains hopeful, stating her girls will 'fight all the odds' and go on to do things that have never been done.
Nelson previously spoke about complications during pregnancy, including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, which required emergency treatment and a 10-week hospital stay before the twins' birth on 15 May.
