Celine Dion shares the struggles she faced with her health issue.
In 2022, Celine Dion is diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder. She talks openly about the challenges this disease presents in a recent interview. The severe muscle spasms have made it impossible for her to cook for herself.
Celine Dion shares personal insights into her struggle with Stiff-Person Syndrome. In 2022, the singer revealed her diagnosis to the world. After canceling her "Courage" tour, she took a break from the public eye. Now she's speaking out about living with the disease in an interview with a US broadcaster. "ET online" shares some of the first excerpts.
The most distressing aspect of the disease, which causes muscular stiffness and spasms, is its effect on her ability to sing. Celine Dion likens it to someone drowning or choking her: "It feels like someone is strangling you! It's like someone pressing hard on your throat," she tells Hoda Kotb in an interview for "NBC Nightly News," which airs on June 11. She demonstrates by placing both hands around her neck.
There's currently no cure
Celine Dion sought advice from renowned researchers in the field but says, "They can't find any drugs that help." Her sister, Claudette Dion, had previously expressed concern about her health, stating, "She's working hard, but she's unable to control her muscles."
The disease is known to attack the vocal cords, but it can also affect other parts of the body, including the abdomen, spine, and ribs. In Dion's case, the spasms were so intense that her ribs broke – a complication that can occur from the strain caused by powerful contractions. "I once broke my ribs because of how strong the spasms were," she says.
Dion's greatest wish is to perform again. In March 2024, she announced on her Instagram account, "One day I will stand on stage again and try to lead a normal life as much as possible." The challenges faced by the five-time Grammy winner will be shown in the documentary "I Am: Celine Dion," which premieres on Amazon Prime Video on June 25. "Making a show isn't difficult," she laments in the trailer for the streaming platform. "Cancelling one, though, is."
