Celine Dion‘s sister, Claudette Dion, has shared a heartfelt update on the legendary singer’s ongoing struggle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that has forced her to halt all live performances for the past year. In a recent interview with Hello! Canada, Claudette shed light on the challenges her sister faces daily due to this debilitating condition.
“It’s an illness we know so little about,” Claudette expressed, highlighting the lack of awareness surrounding Stiff-Person Syndrome. She revealed that Celine continues to grapple with relentless spasms that “are impossible to control.” Stiff-Person Syndrome, classified as a progressive disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord, presents symptoms like muscle rigidity, uncontrollable spasms, muscle enlargement, and difficulties in mobility. Tragically, there is currently no known cure for this condition.
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Claudette Dion further lamented the limited options available to support her sister and alleviate her excruciating pain, stating, “There’s little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain.” Despite the grim situation, the Dion family remains hopeful that dedicated researchers will eventually discover a remedy for this devastating illness.
Before her health struggles, Celine Dion had embarked on the “Courage” tour, which commenced in September 2019 and included 52 scheduled performances. Unfortunately, the global pandemic forced the tour’s postponement, and Celine has not been able to perform in concert since then, primarily due to her debilitating condition.
In December, Celine Dion took to Instagram to share her own perspective on her battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, explaining how the spasms affect her daily life, hindering her ability to walk and sing as she used to. As a result, she made the painful decision to postpone her eagerly awaited “Courage” tour multiple times, including its February restart.
Claudette Dion praised her sister’s unwavering strength, stating, “She’s doing everything to recover. She’s a strong woman.” The Dion family remains optimistic that Celine will find the strength to continue her fight against Stiff-Person Syndrome and eventually return to her passion for performing, bringing joy to countless fans around the world.