Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has shared a heartbreaking moment she received news of her twin babies' devastating diagnosis with a severe genetic condition.
The 35-year-old singer posted footage from her Amazon Prime Video series "Life Changing," which she urges everyone to watch. In the clip, Jesy is seen rocking one of her babies while she and her former partner, Zion Foster, receive news that their twins' genetic test came back positive for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
After a Zoom call where a doctor confirms the diagnosis, Jesy breaks down in tears, saying, "I can't believe this is happening." She explains to viewers that SMA is the most severe muscle disease a baby can have.
Jesy accompanied the video with a caption expressing her emotions and highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. She emphasized that the heel prick test, a method used to check for rare conditions in newborns, does not currently test for SMA, but she hopes that will change.
According to medical professionals, SMA affects everyone differently, but it can include muscle weakness, movement problems, breathing or swallowing difficulties, twitching or shaking muscles, and bone and joint problems.
The condition can start in babies and toddlers, but symptoms can also appear in teenagers and adults. Importantly, SMA does not affect intelligence or cause learning disabilities.
Jesy's heartfelt video has sparked support from her fans, with many expressing their love and admiration for her strength and resilience as a mother.
