Jesy Nelson, formerly of the group Little Mix, has shared a video of her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, following surgery to remove their feeding tubes. The 15-month-old twins are battling Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Nelson posted a clip to Instagram showing the girls on mats on the floor with the caption "my whole heart." Earlier this month, she expressed her joy at "getting her daughter's faces back" after the feeding tubes were removed. A video shared after the operation featured the babies smiling.
In September 2025, Nelson announced that her twins, whom she shares with ex Zion Foster, were diagnosed with SMA Type 1, a rare muscle-wasting condition. She had previously admitted to being "terrified" for her daughters to undergo surgery for the removal of the nasogastric (NG) tubes, which are a temporary feeding solution for those who have difficulty swallowing due to muscle weakness.
Following the procedure, Nelson shared images of the twins sleeping without the tubes, describing the sight as "like a dream." She had expressed her anxiety about the surgery, noting that she had forgotten what it felt like to cuddle them without worrying about the tubes.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy affects motor neuron cells in the spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness. Type 1 SMA is the most severe form, often diagnosed at birth, and can significantly impact a child's ability to sit, crawl, or walk, with severe cases affecting breathing and swallowing. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes.
Nelson has also been a vocal advocate for SMA screening in the UK. Last month, she announced her joy that the SMA Type 1 screening test would be rolled out nationwide following her campaigning efforts. She stated that this expansion would "completely" change the lives of future babies diagnosed with SMA. The singer had previously attended a parliamentary debate regarding the rollout of newborn screening, which initially intended to cover only 72 percent of the country. The government has since confirmed the wider implementation, set to begin in October.