Jesy Nelson's partner, musician Zion Foster, has shared a heartfelt tribute to their twin daughters, calling them "two little warriors" following their diagnosis with a severe genetic condition.
Emotional Tribute and a Rare Condition
The former Little Mix singer, 34, revealed earlier this month that her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, are unlikely to ever walk. They have been diagnosed with SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy), a rare condition that causes progressive muscle weakness, movement issues, and problems with breathing and swallowing.
Foster dedicated a poignant poem to the girls in an Instagram video, where he also criticised the lack of routine SMA1 testing for newborns in the UK, labelling it "indefensible". He recounted the difficult prognosis given to him and Nelson, stating: "They said it’s unlikely you’ll walk, you may not be able to talk, probably won’t be able to hold your head up."
A Campaign for Change in Newborn Screening
In his video caption, Foster praised Nelson as a "superwoman" for campaigning to address this gap in healthcare. Nelson has started a petition to have SMA added to the newborn blood spot (heel prick) test, which currently screens for nine other serious conditions at five days old.
This campaign has gained political traction. Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITV News he backed Nelson's challenge, agreeing that the time to diagnosis was too long. In a significant development, Scotland has announced it will begin screening babies for SMA from spring 2026, though the test remains unavailable for newborns elsewhere in the UK.
Treatment and Looking Forward
Nelson has confirmed that the twins have now received a one-off gene therapy infusion, a treatment designed to halt the progression of the disease by replacing the missing gene. It is important to note that this treatment cannot regenerate muscle already lost.
Foster's poem focuses on unconditional love and acceptance, moving beyond medical milestones. "My worry is about accepting you, loving you for who you are right now, without conditions," he expressed, celebrating their strength: "I hear strength in your lungs every time you cry, two little warrior girls who already know how to fight."
Jesy Nelson rose to fame after winning The X Factor with Little Mix in 2011 and left the group in December 2020 to pursue a solo career.
