An incurable neurological disease drives Celine Dion, 54, into a state of ‘human statues’: The emotionally volatile singer reveals that she has a rare 1 in a million condition known as ‘Stiff Person Syndrome’
It was recently discovered that Celine Dion suffers from Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), which makes her muscles tense uncontrollably.
Sufferers eventually become ‘human statues’ as their bodies become rigid, and they cannot move or speak.
Although there is currently no cure for SPS, treatments can slow down its progression. Celine says she is doing everything she can to minimize her symptoms.
She expressed: ‘Hello everyone, im sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.
‘As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but im ready now.
‘I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and its been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.
‘Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects 1 in a million people
‘While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.’
Celine explained how the condition has affected every aspect of her daily life, including her ability to walk and vocalize normally.
‘It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.
‘I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help.
‘I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build bac my strength and my ability to perform again but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.
‘All I know is singing it’s what I’ve done all my life and its what I love to do the most.
‘I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you being on the stage performing for you.
‘I always give 100 percent when I do my show but my condition is now allowing me to give you that right now.
‘For me to reach you again I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment and I have hope that im on the road to recovery.
‘This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.
‘I want to thank you so much for your wishes and love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.
‘Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.’
She announced on her website that she has recently been treated for severe and persistent muscle spasms, which prevent her from performing, and that her recovery is taking longer than expected.
As an indication of her health concerns, Celine canceled the North American dates of her Courage world tour in January. It comes three months after she had to cancel her comeback residency in Las Vegas for the same reason. The enormous success of Celine’s residencies in Las Vegas has made her recognized as the ‘Queen Of Las Vegas.’
‘Her medical team continues to evaluate and treat the condition.’
Celine added: ‘I was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing.
‘There’s a lot of organizing and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road. I’ll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again.’
‘Meanwhile, I’ve been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me.’
