Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson was overcome with emotion as her petition calling for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to be included in post-birth baby checks soared past 100,000 signatures. The milestone, reached on Friday night, ensures the issue will now be debated by MPs in the House of Commons, marking a significant victory for the SMA community.
Emotional Milestone for Campaign
In a heartfelt video shared with her 9.7 million Instagram followers, the 34-year-old artist was seen cheering and bursting into tears alongside friends and family as the petition's signature count climbed toward the critical threshold. Nelson, visibly moved, exclaimed, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe. It's too much" during the live count. After hitting 100,000, the group erupted in screams and cheers, culminating in an emotional group hug.
Personal Motivation Behind the Petition
Nelson's campaign is deeply personal. Last month, she revealed that her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, born prematurely in May with fiancé Zion Foster, were diagnosed with SMA type 1. This rare genetic condition causes severe muscle weakness, movement issues, and breathing difficulties, with doctors indicating the twins are unlikely to ever walk or regain neck strength.
The petition, launched on Thursday morning, aims to add SMA screening to the NHS newborn blood spot test, commonly known as the heel prick test. Currently offered to every baby at five days old, this test checks for nine rare but serious health conditions, but SMA is not included. Nelson argues that early detection could be life-changing, allowing for timely interventions.
Political Engagement and Advocacy
In a bid to amplify her cause, Nelson met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting last month to discuss the impact of early SMA detection. She has been vocal about her activism, stating earlier this year, "It has caused a lot of commotion and it's been amazing because the SMA community have been screaming and shouting about this for years, and it's never been taken seriously." She expressed hope that the petition would lead to policy changes "sooner rather than later."
Nelson's journey has been fraught with challenges beyond SMA. During her pregnancy, she faced twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a condition where abnormal blood vessels in the placenta cause imbalanced blood flow between twins. Her struggles are documented in the six-part Prime Video documentary series "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix," which premiered on Friday.
Community Support and Future Steps
In her Instagram post celebrating the petition's success, Nelson wrote, "I cannot actually put into words how grateful I am that this moment has just happened right here. And it is all thanks to you guys. Thank you to every single person that took time out of their day to sign this petition. You have no idea how much this means to me and the SMA community." She added, "This is the first hurdle but we bloody did it, and I truly believe that together we are going to make change."
The petition's achievement not only highlights Nelson's dedication but also underscores the power of celebrity advocacy in raising awareness for critical health issues. As the debate moves to Parliament, supporters are hopeful that it will lead to tangible improvements in newborn screening protocols across the UK.
