As the screen fades to black, the words "Up Next" appear on the screen, signaling the start of a new segment. The camera then pans to a previous page, before landing on a new page with the words "Next Page" written in bold letters. But what follows is not a typical segment, but a raw and emotional footage that former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has shared with her fans.
In her Amazon Prime Video series titled "Jesy Nelson: Life Changing," the 35-year-old singer shares the heartbreaking moment when she received the news that her twin babies have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. In the clip, Jesy can be seen holding one of her babies as she and her former partner, Zion Foster, receive the news from a Zoom call with a doctor. As the doctor confirms the diagnosis, Jesy can be seen crying and holding her head in her hands, unable to believe what she is hearing.
Through her tears, she says, "I can't believe this is happening." She then goes on to explain the severity of the condition, stating that it is the most severe muscle disease a baby can have. Jesy accompanied the video with a heartfelt caption, expressing her struggle to find the right words to describe the situation. She also urges everyone to watch the video, as it is only a glimpse into the daily struggles her daughters have to endure.
"It's the reality that so many children born with SMA have to face every single day. This is only the beginning of their lives," she writes, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for the condition. Jesy also sheds light on the heel prick test, now known as the newborn blood spot test, which is used by medics to screen for rare conditions in newborns.
While the test does not currently include SMA, Jesy and other campaigners are pushing for it to be included in the screening process. The singer is a strong advocate for raising awareness about SMA and spends her time campaigning for early diagnosis and treatment. According to the NHS, SMA affects individuals differently, but some common symptoms include muscle weakness, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and bone and joint problems.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with the condition, Jesy considers herself "the luckiest girl in the world" to be a mother to her daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe. Her emotional video has received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities, including Jess Wright and Safiyya Vorajee. Jesy's Amazon Prime Video series, "Jesy Nelson: Life Changing" will be available to stream on July 17.
Through her story, she hopes to raise awareness and understanding about SMA and the importance of early detection and treatment. As the screen fades to black once again, we are reminded of the power of sharing our struggles and the importance of support and empathy.