Celine Dion diagnosed with rare and incurable neurological disease
A tearful Celine Dion, who lost her husband to throat cancer in 2016, has revealed she is suffering from a rare and incurable condition.
Celine Dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with an incurable neurological condition, forcing her to cancel a string of European tour dates.
The Canadian powerhouse posted a tearful video to Instagram stating that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which she said affects “every aspect of my daily life”.
“As you know, I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I am ready now,” Dion said.
“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.”
Dion revealed she’d “recently” been diagnosed with “a very rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects around one in a million people”.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having,” she said.
Dion said the condition not only affects herability to perform but to carry out everyday activities.
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to,” she said, adding that it “hurt” her to announce that her tour would not be restarting in February.
The singer has cancelled eight shows scheduled for mid-2023 and rescheduled other shows to 2024.
However, Dion assured fans that she has a “great team of doctors” working hard to help her get better, but admitted it has been a “struggle”.
“All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most,” she said.
“I miss you so much. I always give 100 per cent when I do my show but my condition is now allowing me to give that to you right now”.
Dion said she will now focus on her health in hope that she will be able to perform again and thanked fans for their support.
“I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.”
Earlier this year, Celine was forced to cancel North American tour dates and dates on her Las Vegas residency due to health concerns, which she revealed were also related to her condition.
Dion’s husband Renee Angelil died in 2016 after a battle with throat cancer.
The couple has three sons, Rene-Charles, Eddy and Nelson.
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