Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has shared an emotional and heartbreaking update about the health of her eight-month-old twin daughters, revealing they have been diagnosed with a severe genetic condition.
A Devastating Diagnosis for the Twins
In a tearful video posted to Instagram on Sunday, the 34-year-old star explained that her daughters, Ocean and Story, have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1. This is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting.
Jesy described the last three to four months as "the most gruelling" of her life following the devastating news. She said the condition "affects every muscle in the body", impacting their legs, arms, breathing, and swallowing. Doctors have told her the girls may never be able to walk.
The twins, born prematurely at 31 weeks on May 15 last year, have already begun urgent treatment. Jesy expressed immense gratitude to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, stating that without the rapid intervention, "they will die." She emphasised there is currently no cure for SMA.
Becoming a Full-Time 'Nurse' for Her Daughters
Nelson opened up about the immense personal shift her life has taken, saying she now feels like a full-time nurse. "The hospital has become my second home," she admitted.
She detailed the daily realities of caring for Ocean and Story, which includes using breathing machines and performing medical tasks. "I have to do stuff that no mother should have to do with their child," Jesy said, visibly emotional.
Despite the immense challenges, the singer shared a glimmer of hope and defiance. "I truly believe my girls will defy all the odds with the right help and do things that have never been done," she told her followers.
Family Strength and a Difficult Pregnancy Journey
Jesy's partner, musician Zion, also shared his support, posting a new photo of the twins with their breathing tubes. He captioned it, saying they were "smiling through the challenges" and added, "Daddy loves you so much."
The singer's journey to motherhood was already fraught with difficulty. During her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a serious condition affecting identical twins sharing a placenta. She underwent an emergency procedure and spent 10 weeks in hospital before the twins' early arrival.
Jesy concluded her emotional update by sharing her sense of loss for the future she had imagined. "I almost feel like I am grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children," she said, while maintaining her fierce determination to support Ocean and Story through their fight.
