Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has shared heartbreaking health news concerning her eight-month-old twin daughters, revealing they have been diagnosed with a serious genetic condition.
An Emotional Revelation on Social Media
In a tearful video posted to her Instagram on Sunday, the pop star explained that her babies, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, have been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Nelson described the past three to four months as "the most gruelling" of her life.
The genetic neuromuscular disease causes progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to the loss of motor neurons. Through tears, Jesy explained that the condition "affects every muscle in the body down to legs, arms, breathing, swallowing and essentially over time it kills the muscles in the body." She added the stark warning that without timely treatment, life expectancy for a baby with SMA may not extend beyond two years of age.
The Family's Challenging Journey
Jesy Nelson and her partner, Zion, welcomed their twin girls on 15 May 2025. The pregnancy was difficult, with Nelson spending much of it in hospital. The twins were delivered prematurely and required care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) following their birth.
Now, eight months on, the family faces this new and profound challenge with the SMA diagnosis.
Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease that weakens a patient's strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, leading to gradual muscle wasting. The severity of symptoms varies significantly by type:
- Type 1 SMA is the most severe form, often evident at birth. Sufferers cannot sit unaided and it can lead to death by the age of five.
- Type 2 SMA is an intermediate form where the individual is unable to stand.
- Type 3 SMA is a milder variant that makes it difficult to rise from a sitting position.
- Type 4 SMA is the adult-onset form, where symptoms typically do not appear until a person is in their 20s or 30s.
Jesy Nelson's courageous decision to share her family's story has brought significant public attention to this rare genetic condition, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, research, and access to treatments.
