Céline Dion, the iconic singer of “My Heart Will Go On” and other hits, has been facing significant health challenges due to her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome. This rare neurological disorder, which affects roughly one or two out of every million people, has brought public attention due to Dion’s openness about her condition.
Dion revealed in December 2022 that she’d been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome and would be postponing tour dates due to the condition. In May 2023, she canceled her remaining tour and shared that she was still being treated for the disorder. The syndrome has reportedly caused Dion to lose control over her muscles, affecting her ability to walk and sing.
Stiff-person syndrome often results in rigidity in the torso and limbs, as well as severe muscle spasms. These spasms can occur at random or be triggered by certain stimuli, including loud noises, touch, and emotional distress. The condition disrupts the normal pathways of communication between the brain and the muscles.
Claudette is also a singer CEO and spokesperson for the Fondation Maman Dion, an organization founded by their mother that helps disadvantaged kids.
“There are some who have lost hope because that it is a disease that is not known,” Claudette, 75, told French publication 7 Jours.
“If you only knew how many calls we receive at the Foundation to hear from Céline,” Claudette said in the French-language interview. “People tell us they love her and pray for her. She gets so many messages, gifts, and blessed crucifixes. She works hard, but she has no control over her muscles. What makes me sad, is that she was also so disciplined.”
The singer herself has been open about her struggles. “I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” she said in an Instagram video. She further explained that her condition has grown to “affect every aspect of my daily life,” sometimes causing difficulties when she walks and not allowing her to use her vocal cords to sing the way she’s used to.
Stiff-person syndrome affects approximately 1 in a million individuals, although some studies propose that this may be an underestimation, as per the National Institutes of Health. The ailment affects twice as many females as males and is commonly linked to other autoimmune disorders such as Type 1 diabetes and vitiligo. Studies suggest that it may be triggered by a malfunctioning autoimmune response in the spinal cord and brain, although the root cause remains unknown.
Relevant articles:
– Celine Dion’s sister gives update on stiff-person syndrome, saying singer “has no control of her muscles”
– Stiff-person syndrome: What to know about Celine Dion’s rare condition
– Celine Dion Health: Her History with Stiff Person Syndrome and More – TODAY
– Céline Dion lost control over her muscles amid stiff-person syndrome, her sister says