Ever since the devastating diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome, a neurological disorder that leads to muscle rigidity and excruciating spasms, singer Celine Dion has been on a roller coaster of ups and downs.
Sadly, this condition forced her to step down from singing and performing, and pretty much from a number of things she has been doing her entire life.
In the past year, the singer posted two videos on her social media, one in English and one in French, in which she explained that due to her serious sickness, she is unable to “sing the way I’m used to.”
She added that the muscle spasm impacts every aspect of her everyday living. “It’s been incredibly difficult for me to face these obstacles and talk about everything that has happened to me,” she continued. “I’ve had health problems for quite some time.” Her tours have been postponed again. “I can only sing,” Dion added. “I’ve done that my whole life. And it’s what I’m most passionate about.”
Recently, her sister Claudette provided a health update on Dion.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed in the quest to find a remedy for Celine’s distressing ailment. The spasms are uncontrollable,” Claudette said.
“You know how people often abruptly wake up due to a leg or calf cramp? It’s somewhat akin to that, but it affects all her muscles. There’s little we can do to ease her suffering.”
“She’s putting in every effort to regain her health. She’s a resilient woman,” she added, appreciating her sister.
Claudette revealed that Dion is taken care of by her other sister, Linda, and that her children are also by her side.
In November of last year, Dion made a rare public appearance at a hockey game in Las Vegas. She looked positively radiant and that gave her fans hope that she would be even better and that her health would further improve.
Sadly, the All by Myself singer is now experiencing issues with her vocal cords as well.
According to Radar Online, Dion is desperate to perform again, even if that means her being on stage in a wheelchair.
At the moment, Dion is undergoing extensive treatments. Sadly, her sister revealed that the prognosis isn’t promising.
“She doesn’t have control over her muscles — and vocal cords are muscles,” Claudette told the National Enquirer last year.
“It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know,” she added.
Reports are that those living with this syndrome can end up being confined to a wheelchair, but this isn’t what bothers Dion the most. In fact, she’s mostly concerned because of the possibility of losing her voice.
“Celine would be content to just sit in a chair and sing to entertain her audiences,” an insider told Radar Online. “But her voice is just not coming back the way that would allow her to perform or record again.
“She has spasms in her vocal cords. She can sing fine — just like you know Celine for a few notes, then a spasm kicks in and throws what she’s singing completely out of whack.
“Sadly, it’s doesn’t seem to be repairable — whether through surgery or therapy.”
We are so very sorry to be hearing this. Our thoughts and prayers are with Celine Dion and we all hope she would be able to perform again in the future, just as she wishes and hopes.