Jesy Nelson Says Rare Disorder May Prevent Her Twin Daughters From Walking
Jesy Nelson is giving a heartbreaking update on her twin daughters.
On Sunday (Jan. 4), the former Little Mix member shared a video on social media with a health update about her 8-month-old girls, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe. In the clip, the 34-year-old singer revealed that they have been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1.
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“We were told that they’re probably never going to be able to walk,” Nelson says in the Instagram video, breaking down in tears. “They probably will never regain their neck strength, so they will be disabled. And so the best thing we can do right now is to get them treatment, and then just hope for the best.”
She continued, “Thankfully, the girls have had their treatment, which you know, I’m so grateful for because if they don’t have it, they will die.”
Nelson said she feels like “she’s had to become like a nurse” for the twins since their diagnosis, having to put them on breathing machines and handle “lots of stuff that no other mother should have to do.”
JoJo Siwa showed her support in the comments, writing, “Sending lots of love and prayers,” with two red heart emojis.
SMA is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes certain muscles to weaken and waste away, according to the Cleveland Clinic. SMA Type 1 accounts for roughly 60% of cases, with symptoms typically appearing in the first six months of life. While there is no cure, certain therapies and medications can help manage symptoms.
Jesy Nelson and her fiancé, Zion Foster, welcomed the identical twins on May 15, 2025. The girls were born prematurely at 31 weeks after Nelson experienced complications from carrying monochorionic/diamniotic twins, who share a placenta but have separate amniotic sacs.
Nelson said that she made the video to help other parents who may notice similar symptoms in their child.
“I just think that I can raise as much awareness about this as possible, and the signs, then, you know, something good has to come out of this,” she said, noting symptoms such as the inability to hold themselves up without support, a “frog-like” leg position, and rapid tummy breathing.
“If anyone is watching this video and they think they see these signs in their child, then please, please take your child to the doctor, to the hospital, because time is of the essence, and your child will need treatment. And the quicker you get this, the better their life will be.”
