Jesy Nelson marks her twins’ first birthday: ‘What a milestone to reach’
By Lauren Del Fabbro, Press Association Entertainment Reporter
Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson “cannot believe” that her twins have turned one: “What a milestone to reach.”
The singer, 34, announced earlier this year that her twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson were diagnosed SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy), a genetic condition which causes progressive muscle wastage.
Nelson marked the babies’ first birthday on Friday and shared a heartfelt video on Instagram where she recited the poem Welcome To Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley which describes what it feels like to raise a child with a disability.
She celebrated the twins, describing them as the “strongest most resilient little fighters I’ve ever known” in a heartfelt caption.
Nelson said: “I cannot believe it has been a whole year since having my beautiful baby girls. They have been through so much. There will never be enough words to describe just how incredible they actually are.
“My tiny little super humans. The strongest, most resilient little fighters I’ve ever known. You inspire me and every single person that ever meets you both.
“One whole year old today what a mile stone to reach. I read this poem a little while ago by Emily Perl Kingsley ‘welcome to Holland’ and I think this sums up their journey so beautifully. Happy Birthday my Ocean and Story you are my whole heart and soul I love you more than you will ever know.”
According to the NHS, SMA causes muscle weakness, movement problems, issues with breathing and swallowing, muscle tremors, and bone and joint problems.
In January, Nelson revealed that her daughters’ diagnosis meant they are unlikely to be able to walk or regain their neck strength.
She has since been campaigning for the condition to be added to the newborn blood spot screening test as early treatment can help avoid some of its most devastating effects.
Nelson met with the former Health Secretary Wes Streeting in January to speak about the life-changing impact early detection of the condition could have had on her twins and in April visited 10 Downing Street.
She also became a patron of the charity SMA UK in February.
Nelson rose to fame after winning The X Factor in 2011 alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards.
She left the group in 2020 after the group scored five number one songs, including Wings, Shout Out To My Ex, and Sweet Melody, as well as one number one album in the UK charts.
