Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has shared a touching video on social media showing one of her twin daughters laughing joyfully with her mother, Janice. This heartwarming moment comes just days after the star revealed she broke down in tears over her babies' ongoing health challenges.
Devastating Diagnosis for Premature Twins
The 34-year-old entertainer welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe prematurely in May 2025 with her former fiancé, Zion Foster. Last month, Nelson disclosed the heartbreaking news that both infants have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA1), a severe genetic neuromuscular condition.
This disease progressively weakens muscles by affecting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. Type 1 represents the most common and severe form, with life expectancy typically under two years without medical intervention. The condition causes significant muscle wasting and affects essential functions like swallowing, sucking, and breathing.
Emotional Rollercoaster of Parenting
In her documentary "Life After Little Mix," Nelson candidly discussed her daughters' diagnosis and regularly provides health updates via Instagram. On Thursday, she posted an adorable Instagram Story clip showing her daughter giggling as grandmother Janice nuzzled her face into the baby's neck.
Another sweet video captured Nelson chuckling over her daughter's mullet hairstyle, while she compared her other twin to a Cabbage Patch doll while running fingers through her curly dark hair. These uplifting posts followed an emotional weekend where Nelson burst into tears upon seeing specially designed feeding chairs delivered for her daughters.
"So the girls need special feeding chairs that came yesterday and I couldn't help but burst into tears yesterday when I saw them," Nelson wrote alongside a photo of the equipment. "It just made me feel so sad as it's just another reminder of another obstacle we have to tackle."
Campaigning for NHS Screening Changes
Beyond caring for her babies, Nelson has become a passionate advocate for expanding the NHS standard heel prick test to include SMA1 screening. She believes that earlier diagnosis and treatment could have preserved her daughters' leg function, noting the test costs approximately £1 per child.
Her petition has already surpassed 100,000 signatures, triggering a parliamentary debate requirement. "Had my twins had the test and been diagnosed and started treatment earlier, their legs could have been saved," Nelson explained regarding her advocacy efforts.
Putting Music Career on Hold
The singer has temporarily paused her music career to focus entirely on her daughters' wellbeing and advocacy work. During an appearance on Heart FM's Breakfast show, she told hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston: "Look, 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, and I want to continue advocating for them and getting this heel prick test changed and getting them strong, that's my main focus," Nelson continued.
Daily Challenges and Emotional Struggles
Nelson described parenting her twins as an emotional rollercoaster to the Daily Mail, with some days being "really f***ing s***" and others slightly lighter. She and ex-partner Zion never anticipated providing such intensive medical care for their children.
"Every day is so full-on - I can speak about it, but I'll never be able to explain how intense it is until you see it," Nelson revealed. "There are a lot of medical things I have to do which I am still really struggling with. I never expected that to be part of my life and it's tough."
She expressed particular difficulty with medical procedures that cause her babies to cry and scream, making her feel like she's hurting them despite knowing the interventions are necessary. "I just want to be their mum," she added emotionally.
Defying the Odds with Treatment
Despite the grim prognosis that SMA1 patients typically don't survive beyond age two without intervention, Nelson remains hopeful her daughters will defy expectations now that they're receiving treatment.
Speaking on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, she explained: "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. And they will die before the age of two."
"It's not OK, but it is what it is, and I just have to accept it, and now just try and make the best out of this situation... And my girls are the strongest, most resilient babies and I really believe that they are going to defy all the odds," Nelson concluded with determination.
