Jesy Nelson Opens Up About Her Twin Babies’ Health: “They May Never Walk”

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Jesy Nelson recently revealed some very sad news: her twin daughters have been diagnosed with a serious genetic condition that may affect their ability to walk.

As a big fan of Jesy Nelson, I was so happy to hear about the arrival of her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, last May! It was a bit of a tough journey though, as they were born prematurely at 31 weeks. She’s been really brave and open about all the challenges she and their dad, musician Zion Foster, went through during the pregnancy.

Nelson shared a heartfelt video on Instagram on Sunday revealing that her daughters have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1, a very serious muscle disease.

“It does affect every muscle in the body, down to legs, arms, breathing, swallowing,” she said.

As a lifelong moviegoer, I was deeply moved by Nelson’s story. She shared that her twin daughters were having trouble moving their legs and with feeding. After months of going back and forth to the hospital, including specialists at Great Ormond Street in London, she was given the heartbreaking news that her girls would likely never walk and probably wouldn’t develop enough neck strength, meaning they’d face lifelong disabilities. It’s just devastating to imagine.

I recently spoke with the singer, and she was incredibly candid about a frightening diagnosis her daughters received. She explained that without quick treatment, this disease can be devastating – often with a life expectancy of just two years. Thankfully, her daughters are now getting the care they need, and she emphasized just how vital that treatment is. She put it plainly: without it, they wouldn’t survive. It was a really powerful and moving conversation.

Ever since her babies were diagnosed, Nelson has become their full-time caregiver, assisting with things like breathing machines and daily care. She described the last three months as “the most heartbreaking time of her life” and explained that this experience has fundamentally changed how she views the world.

I recently spoke with Nelson, a mother facing an incredibly difficult situation with her daughters’ health. Despite everything, her optimism is truly inspiring. She firmly believes her daughters will overcome the challenges they face, stating, “I believe they will defy all the odds. With the right help, they will fight this.” But it’s more than just hope for her own family. She’s bravely sharing their story to raise awareness, hoping other children can get diagnosed and receive the help they need as quickly as possible. It’s a powerful message, and one I think everyone should hear.

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Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) causes muscles to weaken and waste away over time. In 2021, the NHS began offering Zolgensma, a gene therapy, to treat babies with SMA. However, treatment needs to start quickly, as the condition can cause permanent nerve damage if left untreated.

Right now, only the brothers and sisters of children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are screened for the condition. However, organizations like SMA UK are working to have it included in the standard newborn blood screening test for all babies. In 2024, around 47 babies in the UK were born with SMA, and approximately one in 40 people carries the gene that causes it.

Jesy Nelson, who left the group Little Mix in 2020 and has been building a solo career – including the 2021 hit “Boyz” with Nicki Minaj – has often spoken about feeling good about her body and being a mother. In an October Instagram post, she shared that she’d “never felt prouder” and explained that having a baby helped her appreciate just how amazing her body is.

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2026-01-04 19:14