Celine Dion opens up on her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome
ENTERTAINMENT
By
Fay Ngina
| Mar 18, 2024
Renowned singer Celine Dion. (Courtesy)
Renowned singer Celine Dion has openly discussed her ongoing battle with a serious health issue, stiff person syndrome (SPS), on International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day.
On March 15, through an Instagram post, Dion described her struggle with this autoimmune disorder as "one of the hardest experiences of my life."
Despite the challenges, she expressed her determination to return to the stage and lead as normal a life as possible.
"As many of you know, in the fall of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible. I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!" wrote Dion.
In her post, Dion shared a photo with her three sons, Rene-Charles, and twins Nelson and Eddy whom she shares with her late husband, Rene Angelil, who passed away in 2016.
Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological condition that results in muscle spasms and stiffness. It can be triggered by various stimuli including sound, lights, and emotional distress, as detailed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Dion, who first announced her diagnosis in 2022, has had to pause her touring and live performances due to her health.
However, her journey and efforts to return to performing will be captured in an upcoming documentary about her life, set to be streamed on Prime Video.
In her message to her fans and others affected by SPS, Dion offered encouragement and support, urging them to believe in their strength to overcome the challenges posed by the condition.
"I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world that have been affected by SPS. I want you to know you can do it! We can do it!." she concluded.