Jesy Nelson has shared another emotional update after her newborn twin daughters were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, a severe genetic condition that affects muscle strength.
The former Little Mix star, 34, welcomed twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe in May 2025. Her pregnancy was already complicated. Nelson previously revealed the babies developed twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a rare condition in identical twin pregnancies that can cause uneven blood flow and serious risks. In March 2025, she and partner Zion Foster told fans they could lose one or both babies. The twins were later born around two months early.
In a tearful Instagram video, Nelson said doctors have now confirmed SMA, a progressive neuromuscular disease. She explained that treatment needs to happen fast, adding she was told the condition can be fatal without it. Nelson also said specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital warned the girls may never be able to walk. She said her concerns started when she noticed they weren’t moving their legs as much as expected.
Nelson said the twins have since received treatment, which she described as essential. But she admitted life has become a cycle of appointments and hospital visits. “I feel like the hospital has become my second home,” she said, adding she’s had to learn quickly and stay deeply involved in her daughters’ care.
SMA can cause muscle weakness, reduced movement, trouble sitting or crawling, breathing or swallowing difficulties, twitching muscles, joint and bone problems, and reduced reflexes. Type 1 is the most severe form and is usually diagnosed within the first six months of life.
Despite the diagnosis, Nelson said she believes her daughters can still “defy the odds” with the right support.