Celine Dion has one of the most iconic voices ever to grace the stage. Recently, she shared some devastating news about a diagnosis she received of a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome.
The video for her fans is emotional as the 54-year-old French Canadian singer apologized for taking so long to reach out and explain her health issues. She said they have been difficult to talk about.
“As you know, I have always been an open book, and I wasn’t ready to say anything before. But I’m ready now.”
While she has been dealing with health problems for a long time, doctors have only recently figured out why, and the diagnosis means she has to cancel her upcoming shows and reschedule her European tour.
“I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people,” Dion said. “While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having. Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
The singer has real hope, but the disease is going to be tough on her, especially for a professional singer. The condition usually involves the stiffening muscles in the trunk and abdomen, progressively moving to the legs and other extremities.
It causes painful muscle spasms that can occur randomly or be triggered by noise, emotional stress, or physical touch. They can last a minute or for hours and can be bad enough to dislocate limbs or break bones.
Some treatments and therapies can help manage symptoms, but much about the disorder remains a mystery.
“All I know is singing,” Celine said. “It’s what I’ve done all my life. And it’s what I love to do the most.”
“I miss you so much,” she added. “I miss seeing all of you. Being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100% when I do my shows, but my condition is not 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 I am on the road to recovery.”
We do too.
