Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson and her fiancé, Zion Foster, have shared a devastating health update concerning their twin daughters, revealing both have been diagnosed with a severe and rare genetic condition.
A Heartbreaking Diagnosis for the Twins
The couple, who welcomed their twin girls Ocean Jade and Story Monroe in May of last year, disclosed in an emotional social media video earlier this month that both babies have SMA Type 1. This is the most serious form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting disease.
Appearing on ITV's This Morning, Nelson explained the prognosis they received from doctors. "We've been told they will probably never walk, probably never regain their neck strength, they are going to be in wheelchairs," she said. The singer described how her home has been transformed, stating, "My house looks like a hospital. My hallway is filled with medical stuff."
Daily Life and Treatment for Ocean and Story
Despite the challenging outlook, Nelson shared that the twins have already begun a crucial one-off gene therapy treatment. "They've had treatment now, thank God, that is a one-off infusion," she said. "And that essentially puts the gene back in their body that they don't have. It stops any of the muscles that are still working from dying."
She was candid about the immense daily care required, revealing that Story needs a breathing machine at night and both girls have feeding tubes. "I've literally had to learn all this in the space of a few days since getting their diagnosis," Nelson admitted. "I just want to be their mum, I don't want to be a nurse. It's hard."
Zion Foster's Poetic Tribute to Their 'Warriors'
Now, Zion Foster, 27, has expressed his feelings in a moving poem shared on Instagram. Addressing the clinical prognosis, he wrote, "They said it's unlikely you'll walk, you may not be able to talk, probably won't be able to hold your head up. That's what me and Jesy heard."
He chose to focus on their strength, penning, "I hear strength in your lungs every time you cry, two little warrior girls who already know how to fight." Foster emphasised that his primary concern is unconditional love and acceptance, rather than milestones. "My worry is about accepting you, loving you for who you are right now, without conditions, no matter what tomorrow brings," he wrote.
Jesy Nelson concluded her television interview with a message of hope and a call for awareness, stating, "I just want to reiterate that if this is caught from birth it's just life-changing." She remains determined to support her daughters, saying, "All I can do is try my best to be there for them, give them positive energy, and keep doing physio."
