The iconic Canadian singer, Celine Dion, known for her powerhouse vocals and untouchable stage presence, finds herself facing an unexpected and unfortunate path in life– a neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome that has compelled her to take a step back from the limelight.
In a heartfelt and emotional video post to her followers last December, Celine Dion disclosed her diagnosis, sharing the news that she would be postponing the European leg of her highly anticipated Courage world tour until August 2023. The tour was initially scheduled to start in Amsterdam, then Europe, reaching its end in London in April 2024, but is now rescheduled due to her unforeseen neurological disorder.
Celine Dion’s battle with Stiff Person Disorder has come to the forefront, revealing the struggles she faces beyond the spotlight, much of what we don’t know about. This rare neurological condition, characterized by muscle stiffness and spasms, can affect her speech and singing. This autoimmune illness is painful but can be managed through treatment.
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What’s Happening To Celine Dion?
Celine took to Instagram to share the news of her tour postponement. An issue from her team expressed the difficulties the Grammy winner is facing in touring and living her normal life.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100 percent,” expressed the 55-year-old Canadian singer.
Keeping in mind the loyalty of her fans, Dion mentioned that it wouldn’t be fair to continually postpone shows and made the difficult decision to cancel everything until she was truly prepared to return to the stage. Despite the heartbreaking setback, she reassured her supporters that she is determined to overcome this hurdle and anticipates the day when she can shine again.
The spasms, unfortunately, have affected every aspect of her life, hindering her ability to walk and robbing her of the incredible vocals she is renowned for. After months of deteriorating health, Dion received and revealed her diagnosis. In the video message, she spoke of the unwavering support of her cherished children and the team of dedicated doctors who are working diligently with a medicine therapist to help Celine regain her strength. She admits it’s been very hard to deal with.
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In October 2021, Celine Dion first opened up about her health struggles, talking about the reasons behind the postponement of the Las Vegas leg of the tour. The My Heart Will Go On singer revealed that she was dealing with “severe and persistent” muscle spasms, which left her heartbroken and deeply saddened. Having dedicated months of hard work to putting out a new show, Dion’s disappointment was unimaginable as it was unable to open as scheduled in November.
Stiff Person Syndrome is an incredibly rare neurological disorder that affects the way our muscles behave. It mainly affects the muscles of the limbs and face, causing stiffness, rigidity, and spasms. Imagine feeling as stiff as a robot, unable to bend or move freely. The exact cause of SPS remains somewhat of a mystery. It’s believed to be an autoimmune disorder, where the brain sends too many signals at once, causing the muscles to overreact and spasm.
Living with SPS is undoubtedly challenging. Having to plan every movement carefully can be very frustrating. Simple tasks like walking, standing, or even sitting require large amounts of strength and determination. Amidst her struggles, Dion is hopeful and is doing her best to fight these difficulties. We will undoubtedly see her spectacular performances in Europe but not anytime soon!