Jesy Nelson has shared a deeply moving first birthday tribute to her twin daughters, Ocean and Story, after what has been an incredibly difficult first year for the family.
The former Little Mix star took to Instagram on Friday to post smiling snaps from the girls’ birthday celebrations, showing the proud mother beaming beside her daughters as they marked the milestone surrounded by balloons, a stunning cake and a giant light-up “ONE” sign.
In January, Jesy revealed that her daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, had been diagnosed with SMA1, or spinal muscular atrophy type 1 — a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. The diagnosis means the girls are unlikely to walk or regain neck strength.
After months of hospital visits, treatments and emotional updates, Jesy used the special day to celebrate just how far her daughters have come.
Sharing the birthday pictures, she wrote: “Such a special day for the most special little girls. I’m so lucky I get to be your Muma.
“Happy 1st birthday my Ocean and Story bear. I love you more than you will ever know.”
The celebrations appeared to be full of love and colour, with Jesy sharing glimpses of a princess-themed two-tier cake decorated with fairy versions of Ocean and Story, a castle design, a beautifully set birthday table and impressive balloon displays.
In another picture, Jesy could be seen laughing with friends, while other snaps captured the warmth and joy of the day after a year filled with fear, uncertainty and strength.
Earlier in the day, Jesy had marked the twins’ birthday with an emotional video montage reflecting on their lives and health battles.
Over the footage, she read the well-known 1987 poem Welcome To Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley, a piece often used to describe the emotional experience of raising a child with a disability. The poem compares parenthood to planning a trip to one place, only to unexpectedly arrive somewhere completely different — challenging, unfamiliar, but still full of its own beauty.
In the audio recording, Jesy said: “I’m often asked to describe the experience of what it’s like to raise a child with a disability, to try to help people who have not had that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel.”
The video featured moments from Ocean and Story’s first year, including their medical battles, milestones and treatments. Jesy shares the twins with her ex-boyfriend Zion Foster.
Alongside the montage, Jesy wrote: “I cannot believe it has been a whole year since having my beautiful baby girls. They have been through so much…
“There will never be enough words to describe just how incredible they actually are. My tiny little super humans. The strongest, most resilient little fighters I’ve ever known. You inspire me and every single person that ever meets you both….
“One whole year old today what a milestone to reach. I read this poem a little while ago by Emily Perl Kingsley ‘Welcome to Holland’ and I think this sums up their journey so beautifully…
“Happy Birthday my Ocean and Story you are my whole heart and soul I love you more than you will ever know.”
Since revealing her daughters’ diagnosis, Jesy has become a vocal campaigner for newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, urging the NHS to introduce wider testing so the condition can be detected as early as possible.
Her campaign gained fresh attention after Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced plans for more than 400,000 babies to be screened for SMA from October 2026.
Jesy has been in contact with the politician and recently visited the Prime Minister’s residence as part of her fight for change, sharing selfies from the visit and writing: “When life throws you lemons……”
However, despite the progress, Jesy has warned that the battle is far from over, explaining that the planned screening will only take place in certain areas of England.
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.
“It’s essentially a postcode lottery for your baby which shouldn’t be the case. All babies lives matter, so as amazing as it is there is still a long way to go in terms of that.
“I’m going to keep pushing and trying as much as possible to get this so it is in all areas of England and then also the petition you all kindly signed getting 100,000 signatures is now going to be debated in parliament which is just amazing.
“That is all down to you guys so thank you so so much, you’re incredible and I am so appreciative of all the support and love, thank you so much.”
For Jesy, Ocean and Story’s first birthday was more than a family celebration. It was a milestone of survival, love and resilience — a moment to honour two little girls who have already inspired thousands with their fight.
