Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has provided an emotional health update concerning her twin daughters, revealing they have been fitted with custom leg splints. The 34-year-old star, who welcomed Ocean and Story in May with ex-fiancé Zion Foster, disclosed in January that both infants were diagnosed with the severe genetic neuromuscular condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA1).
Understanding the SMA1 Diagnosis
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 represents the most severe and common form of this genetic disorder, which progressively weakens muscles by affecting motor nerve cells within the spinal cord. Without medical intervention, life expectancy for SMA1 patients is typically less than two years. The condition causes gradual muscle wasting and significant physical limitations from birth.
Emotional Revelation About Leg Splints
In a heartfelt Instagram video shared on Thursday, Jesy Nelson displayed the tiny leg splints designed to flatten her daughters' pointed feet. "So today, I had to go pick up the girls' splints today because their feet are pointing, and they need to be flattened out. It made me really sad," the singer confessed to her followers.
She described the splints as "another reminder" of the health challenges her nine-month-old daughters face. Despite her sadness, Jesy showed the custom-designed splints - Story's adorned with hearts and Ocean's featuring butterflies - asking her audience, "Have you ever seen anything cuter in your life?"
Documenting the Journey and Advocacy Efforts
Since publicly sharing her twins' diagnosis, Jesy has openly documented their health journey on social media while continuing to film her Prime Video documentary series. "When the girls got their diagnosis, we decided that we wanted to continue filming," she explained during a recent Q&A session.
The singer emphasized her determination to "make a change" through her platform, particularly advocating for SMA to be included in standard NHS heel prick tests for newborns. These tests cost approximately £1 each and could enable earlier intervention. "I'm trying to get it [SMA] made part of the heel prick test. That's my main goal right now, as well as looking after my beautiful girls," Jesy stated.
Additional Health Challenges
The twins faced further complications during pregnancy, including Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS), a rare condition affecting identical twins sharing one placenta. This condition, which carries a 95% mortality rate without treatment, required medical intervention. The girls were subsequently born prematurely at 31 weeks.
Despite the devastating prognosis, Jesy remains hopeful about her daughters' future. "My girls are the strongest, most resilient babies and I really believe that they are going to defy all the odds," she expressed during an appearance on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast.
What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
Spinal Muscular Atrophy encompasses several types of the neuromuscular disease:
- Type 1 SMA: The most severe form, evident at birth, preventing sitting ability and typically leading to death by age five without treatment
- Type 2 SMA: Intermediate severity where patients cannot stand independently
- Type 3 SMA: Mild form making rising from sitting positions difficult
- Type 4 SMA: Symptoms appearing in adulthood, typically during the 20s or 30s
Jesy Nelson continues to balance caring for her daughters with her advocacy work, using her public platform to raise awareness about SMA and push for earlier diagnostic testing within the healthcare system.
