Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has marked her first Mother's Day by paying tribute to 'superhuman' mothers across the nation, while simultaneously navigating her twin daughters' heartbreaking health battle with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA1). The 34-year-old star, who welcomed her premature daughters Ocean and Story in May 2025 with ex-fiancé Zion Foster, shared emotional posts on Sunday celebrating mothers facing extraordinary challenges.
Heartbreaking Diagnosis and Mother's Day Tribute
Last month, Jesy revealed the devastating news that both her infant daughters had been diagnosed with SMA1, a genetic neuromuscular disease that weakens muscles by affecting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. Type 1 represents the most severe form of the condition, with life expectancy typically under two years without medical intervention. Despite this challenging reality, Nelson used Mother's Day to honor other families facing similar struggles.
She shared photographs from a recent campaign shoot featuring families with children experiencing various health difficulties and disabilities. In her caption, she wrote: 'Happy Mother's Day to all the super human amazing mummas out there. For anyone who finds today difficult, my heart goes out to you. I had the chance to sit down with some incredible mums and families to celebrate women and the true powerhouses they are.'
Daily Struggles and Emotional Rollercoaster
The singer described her daily life as an emotional rollercoaster, with some days being 'really f***ing s***' and others slightly lighter. She candidly explained to the Daily Mail how medical procedures leave her feeling like she's hurting her babies when they cry and scream during treatments. 'I never expected that to be part of my life and it's tough,' she admitted. 'They're so tiny and I have to do things which I know are doing them good but at the time, when they're crying and screaming, it feels like I'm hurting them.'
Jesy recently broke down in tears when special feeding chairs arrived for her daughters, describing them as 'another reminder of another obstacle we have to tackle.' SMA1 causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting, meaning Ocean and Story require feeding tubes due to severe swallowing, sucking and breathing difficulties, along with specially designed chairs for postural support.
Campaigning for NHS Screening Changes
Alongside caring for her daughters, Jesy has become a passionate campaigner for expanding the NHS newborn heel prick test to include screening for SMA1. She argues that had her twins received the £1 test and been diagnosed earlier, their legs could have been saved from deterioration. Her petition has already garnered over 100,000 signatures, triggering a parliamentary debate requirement.
The star has put her music career on hold to focus entirely on her daughters' needs and advocacy work. She told Heart FM's Breakfast show: 'Look listen I'd never say never to music, but for me, my girls are my main focus. I'll be honest with you, I've not got time, I really don't. They are my whole heart and soul and my main focus.'
Defying the Odds
Despite the grim prognosis that children with SMA1 typically don't survive beyond age two without treatment, Jesy remains hopeful. Speaking on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, she expressed belief that her daughters would defy expectations: 'My girls are the strongest, most resilient babies and I really believe that they are going to defy all the odds.'
She explained the disease's mechanism: 'Their muscles are now deteriorating and wasting away, and if you don't get them treatment in time, eventually the muscles will all just die, which then affects the breathing, the swallowing, everything.'
Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a progressive disease that weakens strength by affecting spinal cord motor nerve cells, resulting in gradual muscle wasting. The condition manifests in several types:
- Type 1 SMA: Most severe form evident at birth, preventing sitting and typically fatal by age five
- Type 2 SMA: Intermediate form where sufferers cannot stand
- Type 3 SMA: Mild form making rising from sitting position difficult
- Type 4 SMA: Symptoms don't appear until adulthood, typically in 20s or 30s
In another Mother's Day post, Jesy gave special recognition to those unable to share the day with their mothers, demonstrating her awareness of the various ways the holiday can be emotionally challenging. Her documentary 'Life After Little Mix' and regular Instagram updates continue to document her family's journey, blending personal vulnerability with determined advocacy for systemic healthcare change.
