Wellness 8th December 2022 by Stellar Magazine
Celine Dion Diagnosed With Stiff Person Syndrome
We’re thinking of Celine during this difficult time.
The condition, simply called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), locks sufferers’ bodies into rigid positions and leaves them like “human statues”.
There is no cure for SPS but the singer has said that she is doing what she can to minimise her symptoms.
In a tearful Instagram post, she explained: “I’m 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 I’m 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 one in a million people.”
She continued by saying: “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.
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“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to. 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 back 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 it’s 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 per cent when I do my show but my condition is now allowing me to give you that right now,“ she added.
“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’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.”
Celine will now play Dublin on April 5th and 6th 2024.
Written by Bronwyn O’Neill