Jesy Nelson has issued a heartbreaking health update about her twin daughters after sharing that she is ‘grieving‘ and devastated.
The former Little Mix star has spoken out about the recent update she received from doctors about her eight-month-old twins.
The girls, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born on May 15 last year, but the singer broke down as she revealed the devastating news.
Nelson, 34, revealed that her mom, Janice, was the first to raise concerns about the twin girls soon after they were born.
The star, who was in girlband Little Mix for nine years, spoke to loyal fans on Instagram about the grueling process she and her family have been through during recent months.
She rose to fame in 2011 on the X Factor, when Little Mix became the first group, and the only ever girl group, to win the original UK series.
In 2021, the band became the first girl group in 41 years to win the British Group award at the Brit Awards.
But nine years after being formed on the talent show, Nelson made the decision to leave the girl group.
In a statement on Instagram at the time, the band wrote: “This is an incredibly sad time for all of us but we are fully supportive of Jesy.
“We love her very much and agree that it is so important that she does what is right for her mental health and well-being.
“We know that Jesy leaving the group is going to be really upsetting news for our fans.
“We love you guys so much and are so grateful for your loyalty and continued support of all of us.”
Nelson went on to pursue a solo career after her time in the band, but struggled with media attention.
She announced in 2024 that she was stepping away from the music industry, after acknowledging that it was no longer good for her mental health.
Since then, Nelson has focused on stepping into motherhood with the birth of her girls, who were born prematurely in May last year.
Announcing their birth, she said: “So…our beautiful baby girls decided to come at 31weeks plus 5 days.
“It all happened so quickly, but we are so blessed that they are here with us, healthy and fighting strong!
“We’ve never felt more in love.”
But in a devastating health update just yesterday (January 4), Nelson revealed that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with an extremely rare condition less than a year after being born.
In a heartbreaking video, she noted that her daughter’s had been diagnosed with SMA Type 1, the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
The disorder is disabling and lifelong, and it commonly fatal without rapid treatment.
Opening up about their story, the 34-year-old said: “A few months ago my mum noticed that the girls were not showing as much movement in their legs as they should be.
“It wasn’t really a concern to me at the time because from the minute I left NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), I was told ‘your babies are premature, so do not compare your babies to other babies. They won’t reach the same milestones, take them as they are and they will get where they need to be when they do.’”
After health visitors had described the babies as ‘healthy,’ the mom believed her daughters were making good progress.
The singer and her partner, Zion Foster, were told by GPs not to worry.
But their painful journey was just beginning.
She confirmed: “After the most gruelling, three/four months and endless appointments, the girls have now been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease, called SMA Type 1.”
The tearful mom of two added: “If it’s not treated in time, your baby’s life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.”
The condition kills the muscles in the body, and can cause severe breathing and swallowing issues.
She described the ‘very rapid process’ of her children receiving treatment.
Nelson added: “When they assessed the girls at Great Ormond Street, we were told that they will probably never be able to walk.
“They probably will never regain their neck strength, so they will be disabled.
“So the best thing we can do right now is get them treatment and just hope for the best.”
The star shared the video to help other parents spot the signs of the devastating condition.
“I’m grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children,” the heartbroken mom added.
Nelson believes that her girls will ‘defy all odds,’ after noting that ‘a lot of this stuff could be prevented.’
Despite there currently being no cure for the condition, the twins are receiving treatment for SMA 1.
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