Trending 19th December 2023 by Jade Hayden

Celine Dion’s Sister Says She Is ‘Working Hard’ Amid Stiff Person Syndrome Diagnosis

"In both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage"

@celinedion / Instagram

Celine Dion’s sister Claudette has given an update on the singer’s health following her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome.

The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer announced she had been diagnosed with the neurological condition, which leaves the body in rigid ‘statue-like’ positions, in 2022.

The star cancelled all remaining dates of her world tour following the diagnosis.

Celine’s sister Claudette has since said that seeing her sister like this “breaks my heart.”

She told local publication 7 Jours as reported by The Daily Mail: “She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles.”

“What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined. She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly’.

“It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know.”

 

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A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion)

She went on: “The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me.

“Because it’s 1 out of a million case, the scientists haven’t done that much research because it didn’t affect that many people.

“Some people have lost hope because it’s all illness that isn’t well known. If only you knew the number of phone calls the Foundation gets about Celine!

“People tell us they love her and they’re praying for her. She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes.”

 

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A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion)

Earlier this year, Claudette said that she and her family were searching for medication that would help Celine, but had yet to find any that work. “I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest,” she said.

“At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.”

Celine recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of her festive album, These Are Special Times.

On Instagram, she said: “This beloved holiday album includes classics such as O Holy Night, Happy Xmas (War is Over), and The Prayer, a beautiful duet with Andrea Bocelli.

“And now, 25 years later, These Are Special Times remains one of the best-selling holiday albums of all time.”

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