Jesy Nelson's twins described as 'little warriors' after SMA1 diagnosis

Zion Foster posted a poem calling his and Jesy Nelson’s twin daughters 'two little warriors' after they were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1). Nelson has campaigned for SMA1 to be added to newborn screening, and officials have begun reassessing the screening policy while Scotland will start screening in the spring.

Jesy Nelson’s fiance, musician Zion Foster, shared a poem describing their twin daughters as "two little warriors" after the children were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1). The singer revealed the twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, are unlikely to walk and the family has highlighted the absence of routine newborn testing for SMA1. Nelson has launched a public campaign and petition to add SMA1 to the newborn blood spot screening test. Officials and health bodies have said the screening policy is under review, and Scotland has announced plans to screen newborns for SMA from spring. Key facts: - The twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster, were diagnosed with SMA type 1 and are reported as unlikely to be able to walk. - Zion Foster shared a poem on Instagram describing the girls as "two little warriors" and questioned aspects of care and acceptance. - The family says the twins have received a one-off infusion treatment that adds the missing gene and can stop further muscle loss but cannot restore muscle already lost. - The UK National Screening Committee does not currently recommend universal newborn screening for SMA but has commissioned work to reassess this; Scotland will start screening newborns for SMA from the spring, and Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed support for Nelson’s challenge to the screening process. Summary: This is a family announcement that has drawn attention to testing and screening for a rare genetic condition. Officials have begun reassessing screening policy and Scotland will introduce newborn screening for SMA in the spring; further policy developments are undetermined at this time.