Jesy Nelson Breaks Down in Tears as She Reveals the HORRIFIC Mistakes That Could Have CHANGED Her Twins’ Devastating Diagnosis: “I Could Have Saved Them”
Jesy Nelson Breaks Down in Tears as She Reveals the HORRIFIC Mistakes That Could Have CHANGED Her Twins’ Devastating Diagnosis: “I Could Have Saved Them”
Jesy Nelson broke down in tears on This Morning as she opened up about the devastating diagnosis that has changed her life forever – revealing she believes missed warning signs may have robbed her twin daughters of the chance to walk.
The former Little Mix star appeared visibly emotional as she spoke to presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, admitting she had never even heard of spinal muscular atrophy before her eight-month-old twins were diagnosed.
Jesy explained that her daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born prematurely at 31 weeks and initially reassured as healthy. But as time passed, subtle changes began to haunt her. She said she now believes early intervention could have altered everything, admitting through tears that if she had seen a video or known the symptoms sooner, the outcome might have been different.
The 34-year-old told the show that her entire world has been turned upside down. Her home, she said, now resembles a hospital, with medical equipment lining the hallway – a brutal contrast to the joy she expected after bringing her babies home. The moment that hurts most, Jesy confessed, is no longer being able to “just be their mum”, explaining that she feels she has been forced into the role of a nurse instead.
She revealed how she began noticing worrying signs: her daughters’ breathing appeared laboured from their stomachs, their legs moved less with each passing week, and what once seemed like normal development gradually faded away. Looking back at old videos, Jesy said it is painfully clear how quickly the movement stopped – a reality she finds impossible to accept knowing treatment is far more effective when given at birth.
Jesy told viewers she will “never get over” the diagnosis, adding that while she can try to cope, acceptance feels out of reach. Although her daughters have since received a one-off gene therapy infusion that prevents further muscle loss, doctors have warned that any muscles already damaged cannot be recovered. She shared that the girls may never walk, may struggle with neck strength, and are likely to need wheelchairs – news she described as unbearable.
Despite the heartbreak, Jesy spoke with fierce determination about using her platform to fight for change. She has launched a petition calling for SMA screening to be added to routine newborn testing across the UK, insisting she feels a duty to speak out if it could save another child’s future. While Scotland is set to introduce screening, the test is still unavailable for newborns elsewhere in the country.
Fighting back tears, Jesy said her daughters remain happy, smiling, and strong – and that seeing them face this together gives her strength. All she can do now, she said, is pour her energy into constant physiotherapy, positivity, and campaigning, vowing she will keep shouting about SMA until change finally comes.
