Celine Dion’s health has been deteriorating due to a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which led to the cancellation of her world tour scheduled for February. Her sister recently confirmed that Dion is diligently working towards recovery but is struggling with muscle control. Fans have continuously shown their love and support since Dion revealed her diagnosis.
Celine Dion’s sister, Claudette, provided an update on the singer’s condition, stating that despite Dion’s hard work towards recovery, she has not been able to regain control over her muscles. Claudette expressed her heartbreak over the situation, noting Dion’s lifelong discipline and work ethic, as instilled by their mother. She also mentioned the uncertainty surrounding Dion’s potential return to the stage.
According to Claudette, stiff person syndrome is a rare condition affecting approximately one in a million people. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, but the exact cause is unknown, making it challenging to find effective treatments. Dion’s symptoms include limb stiffness, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, and sensory issues. Despite her low profile since the diagnosis, Dion continues to receive fan support through her family charity, Fondation Maman Dion.
Claudette noted that some people have lost hope due to the rarity and complexity of Dion’s illness. However, the foundation receives numerous calls from people expressing their love and prayers for Dion, along with gifts and blessed crucifixes.
The update follows over a year after Dion shared her diagnosis with fans. In December 2022, she disclosed her long-standing health issues in a tearful video, announcing the cancellation of the European leg of her tour for February 2023. Dion revealed that the spasms from her condition impact her daily life, including walking and vocal cord function. She expressed her commitment to recovery and her hope to return to singing, her lifelong passion.
In a recent public appearance, her first in three years, Dion attended a hockey game at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena. Cheering for the Montreal Canadiens against the Vegas Golden Knights, she was accompanied by her sons René-Charles, 22, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy. They later visited the Canadiens’ locker room and met with the team’s VP, Chantal Machabee. A photo of Dion and Machabee shared on social media garnered positive reactions from Dion’s fans.
