Former Jesy Nelson gave fans a touching glimpse into her life as a mum this week as she enjoyed a peaceful forest walk with her twin daughters amid their devastating health battle.
The singer, 34, shared a series of sweet snaps on Instagram showing her 10-month-old daughters, Ocean and Story, wrapped up warmly in blankets as they took in the greenery around them during the quiet outing. Alongside the photos, Jesy simply wrote: “Forest walks with my girlies” followed by a heart emoji.
But behind the calm family moment lies an emotional fight that has completely changed Jesy’s life.
Back in January, the former Little Mix star revealed that both of her twins had been diagnosed with SMA Type 1 — a rare and severe muscle-wasting condition that affects movement, breathing and swallowing. The diagnosis left Jesy devastated, especially after learning her daughters had not been tested at birth.
Since then, the singer has become one of the UK’s loudest voices campaigning for newborn SMA screening across England. Jesy previously explained that because her daughters were diagnosed late, they may never be able to walk.
Last week brought a major breakthrough after Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that more than 400,000 babies in England will begin being screened for SMA from October 2026 — earlier than originally planned.
Reacting to the news online, Jesy admitted the update was both emotional and bittersweet.
She told fans: “It is a bit bittersweet because basically they are only doing it in certain areas of England, so if you do not live in that certain postcode or part of England then your baby won’t be tested for SMA, which is really sad.”
The singer went on to describe the situation as a “postcode lottery” for families and vowed to continue fighting until screening becomes available nationwide.
“All babies’ lives matter,” she said. “As amazing as it is, there is still a long way to go.”
Jesy also emotionally thanked supporters after a petition calling for wider screening reached 100,000 signatures and is now set to be debated in Parliament.
Speaking candidly about her daughters’ condition in recent interviews, Jesy admitted caring for the twins can feel overwhelming at times.
She previously revealed that the medical procedures Ocean and Story must go through every day often leave her heartbroken as they “cry and scream,” adding that some days are “really fing s.”
During an appearance on Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast, Jesy explained the brutal reality of SMA Type 1, saying: “Their muscles are now deteriorating and wasting away… and if you don’t get them treatment in time, eventually the muscles will all just die.”
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Jesy said she still believes her daughters can “defy all the odds.”
She said emotionally: “My girls are the strongest, most resilient babies and I really believe that they are going to defy all the odds.”
