The former Little Mix member posted an emotional video on Instagram today, visibly struggling to contain her tears throughout the clip as she gave an update on her twin daughters
Jesy Nelson has revealed the devastating news that her twin daughters will never be able to walk. The 34-year-old singer gave birth to twins Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster back in May.
The former Little Mix member posted an emotional video on Instagram today, visibly struggling to contain her tears throughout the clip.
In the moving footage, the courageous mother explained that the girls have been diagnosed with the rare genetic condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA impacts every muscle throughout the body, from limbs to swallowing functions. She revealed she’s now functioning as a round-the-clock carer for her daughters and has been forced to perform “things no mother should.”
The artist sought medical advice after spotting that the twins weren’t displaying typical movement for their age. Jesy opened the video by saying: “I wanted to come on here to share some news with you guys. I’m not actually sure where to start with this video.”, reports the Mirror.
“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,” Jesy explained. “From the minute I left NICU I was told, ‘Your babies are premature so don’t compare your babies to other babies. They won’t reach the same milestones just take them as they are.’
“It didn’t really ring alarm bells to me. They are my first set of children and I was told not to compare to them. Health care visitors insisted everything was fine and the girls were healthy.
“There were a few signs later on that the girls were struggling to feed properly. We would take them to the GP and say ‘Our babies are not feeding as frequently as they should.’ They said it was fine and to try little and often.”
Jesy continued: “Long story short, after the most gruelling three to four months and endless appointments, the girls have been diagnosed with a severe disease called SMA type one. It stands for Spinal Muscle Atrophy which affects every muscle in the body from legs, arms, swallowing.
“Over time it kills the muscles in the body. If it’s not treated in time, your babies life expectancy will not make it past the age of two.
“Once the girls got treated it was a very rapid process. Time is of the essence with this disease.
“When they assessed the girls at Great Ormond Street, we were told they were never going to be able to walk. They would probably never regain their neck strength. They will be disabled,” Jesy revealed.
“The best thing we can do right now is to get them treatment and hope for the best,” she added.
“Thankfully the girls have had their treatment which I’m so grateful for. If they didn’t have it they would die.”
Describing how her life has been completely upended, she shared: “The hospital has become my second home. I feel like I’ve had to become a nurse within two weeks of getting the diagnosis. I’ve had to do stuff no mother should have to do to their child.
“I made this video because the last three months have been the most heartbreaking time of my life.”
Becoming emotional, Jesy revealed: “I know i have to be grateful. At the end of the day they are still here and that’s the main thing. They’ve had their treatment.
“I truly believe that my girls will defy the all the orders and with the right help they will fight this.”
Jesy also faced a challenging pregnancy during which her daughters were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), something she shared on social media.
The NHS states that TTTS impacts 10 to 15% of identical twins sharing a placenta and “can have serious consequences”.
The disorder occurs due to abnormal blood vessel connections in the placenta, creating unequal blood circulation between the twins, resulting in one receiving more blood volume than the other.
The performer required urgent surgery and remained hospitalised for 10 weeks before delivering the twins early at 31 weeks on May 15.
