Jesy Nelson has celebrated the first birthday of her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, who were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 earlier this year. The former Little Mix star, 34, shared a heartfelt Instagram video reciting the poem 'Welcome to Holland' by Emily Perl Kingsley, which reflects on raising a child with a disability.
In her caption, Nelson described her daughters as 'the strongest most resilient little fighters I’ve ever known' and expressed disbelief that a year had passed since their birth. She wrote: 'They have been through so much. There will never be enough words to describe just how incredible they actually are.'
SMA is a genetic condition causing progressive muscle wastage, leading to muscle weakness, movement problems, and breathing difficulties. In January, Nelson revealed her twins are unlikely to walk or regain neck strength. She has since campaigned with The Mirror for newborn SMA screening via the NHS heel prick test, which led to an 'amazing' announcement in April.
Nelson met former Health Secretary Wes Streeting in January and visited Downing Street in April to advocate for early detection. She also became a patron of SMA UK in February. The singer's efforts highlight the 'postcode lottery' of SMA screening availability across the UK.
