Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson was overcome with emotion after her heartfelt campaign for enhanced newborn health checks achieved a critical milestone, securing 100,000 signatures and guaranteeing a debate in Parliament. The 34-year-old singer, whose twin daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster were born prematurely in May and diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), launched the petition to advocate for mandatory screening of this serious genetic disease in infants.
Emotional Response to Petition Success
In a raw and emotional video shared on Instagram, Nelson struggled to contain her feelings, exclaiming, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe. It's too much." She later expressed profound gratitude in a written post, stating, "I cannot actually put into words how grateful I am that this moment has just happened right here. And it is all thanks to you guys. Thank you to every single person that took time out of their day to sign this petition. You have no idea how much this means to me and the SMA community." She emphasized that this achievement marks "the first hurdle" in a broader effort to drive meaningful change.
Campaign Goals and Health Implications
The petition specifically calls for the inclusion of spinal muscular atrophy screening in the newborn blood spot test, commonly referred to as the heel prick test. According to the NHS, SMA is a rare genetic disorder that leads to severe muscle weakness, movement difficulties, respiratory and swallowing issues, muscle tremors, and complications with bones and joints. Nelson has publicly shared that her daughters will likely never walk due to the condition, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and intervention.
Advocacy and Political Engagement
Nelson has been a vocal advocate for the SMA community, meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting last month to discuss the disease and push for policy reforms. She remarked earlier this year, "It has caused a lot of commotion and it's been amazing because the SMA community have been screaming and shouting about this for years, and it's never been taken seriously. I'm just really praying that it does eventually get changed sooner rather than later." Her personal journey, including pregnancy struggles, is detailed in the documentary series "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix," which premiered recently.
Broader Impact and Future Steps
The success of this petition underscores growing public support for expanding newborn screening protocols in the UK. With parliamentary debate now assured, advocates hope it will lead to legislative action that could improve early diagnosis and treatment options for SMA, potentially saving lives and enhancing quality of life for affected families. Nelson's campaign has amplified long-standing calls from the SMA community, bringing national attention to a critical health issue that demands immediate governmental consideration.
