Jesy Nelson marked her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, first birthday on May 15th, 2026, with an emotional video and a poem reflecting on their journey with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1. The singer shared the tribute, highlighting the girls' health battles since their diagnosis earlier this year.
The former Little Mix star's twins were diagnosed with SMA1 in January 2026. This rare genetic condition causes progressive muscle wasting, leading to a high likelihood they may never walk or regain significant muscle strength.
Nelson expressed her deep appreciation for the support received, stating, "That is all down to you guys so thank you so so much, you're incredible and I am so appreciative of all the support and love, thank you so much." She also shared a video clip of herself feeding one of her daughters, a moment underscoring the daily realities of their condition. The twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, were born prematurely at 31 weeks on May 15th, 2025.
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Campaigning for Change
Since revealing her daughters' diagnosis, Nelson has actively campaigned for expanded newborn screening for SMA. She has been liaising with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who announced last month that over 400,000 babies will be screened for the condition from October 2026. Nelson has acknowledged this progress but noted that implementation is still limited to certain areas in England, emphasizing that "there is still a long way to go." The singer's advocacy comes after NHS Scotland introduced SMA testing for all newborns as part of a pilot scheme in September 2025.
A Year of Challenges
Nelson and her ex-boyfriend, Zion Foster, have navigated a difficult year following the premature birth of their twins. Initially, doctors advised them not to worry about the babies' development, but a subsequent diagnosis of SMA1 brought a stark reality. Despite the challenges, the family celebrated the birthday with a pink-themed party at home. Nelson described the occasion as "such a special day for the most special little girls," expressing her profound love for Ocean and Story. Fans and fellow celebrities have offered messages of support, with many praising Nelson's strength as a mother. In a recent post, Nelson shared a heartwarming moment when her daughter Story said "Muma" for the first time, a milestone that carried significant emotional weight given their circumstances.
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