Celine Dion has revealed to the world she has a rare, progressive neurological disorder: Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS).
The best-selling Canadian and French-language recording artist has moved audiences to tears with international number-one hits like “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and “My Heart Will Go On.”
However, it was Dion on Thursday who was holding back tears when she announced her diagnosis to the world.
Per Mediaite:
SPS is a rare neurological disease which, according to the National Institute of Health, causes increased muscle rigidity and heightened sensitivity to noises and touch which could lead to muscle spasms.
“Hello, everyone. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and I can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person. As you know, I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now,” Dion began the video message.
“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 continued.
Dion said Stiff Person Syndrome affects one in a million people and her recent diagnosis has answered a lot of questions regarding muscle spasms that she has dealt with. Those spasms, she elaborated, have lead to difficulties walking, completing everyday tasks, and even singing to the level she was once able to.
Dion told her fans that she wouldn’t be able to continue her European tour in February. Still, with the help of medical professionals and speech therapists, the singer is hopeful she’ll be able to perform again.
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