Celine Dion ‘Doesn’t Have Control’ of Muscles Amid Stiff Person Syndrome Battle
By Movieguide® Contributor
Celine Dion’s sister shared an update on the singer’s stiff person syndrome diagnosis as the musician hopes to eventually return to the stage.
“She works so hard, but she doesn’t have control of her muscles,” Dion’s sister Claudette told 7Jours. “What pains me is that she has always been disciplined. She always worked hard. Mom always told her, ‘You’re going to do this right, you’re going to do this right.’”
“It’s certain that, in our dreams and in hers, the idea is to return to the stage,” Claudette continued. “In which state? I do not know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is a muscle. This is what comes to get me.”
Dion shared her diagnosis in December 2022 after suffering from muscle spasms, including in her vocal cords, that debilitated her.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder.” Symptoms of the progressive condition include “stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs,” as well as “muscle spasms that may be triggered by noises, touch or emotional distress.” The disease is extremely rare, making it difficult for the singer to find adequate treatment.
“Since it’s one case in millions, scientists didn’t do that much research, because it didn’t affect that many people,” Claudette explained.
The singer has yet to perform since being diagnosed, canceling a year’s worth of shows as she works to rebuild strength and find a way to perform again.
“It’s heartbreaking that [Celine] has had to cancel touring but she is suffering mobility and other issues from the disease disrupting her daily life,” a source told PEOPLE in May. “She is doing everything she can while working with doctors because she wants to perform. She has not given up at all. She is hoping to get all of the issues with this disease under control so she can sing again.”
Movieguide® previously reported:
Grammy Award winner Celine Dion’s sister, Claudette Dion, has updated fans about the singer’s stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.
“She’s doing everything to recover. She’s a strong woman,” Claudette told HELLO! Canada.
“It’s an illness we know so little about. There are spasms — they’re impossible to control. You know people often jump up in the night because of a cramp in the leg or the calf? It’s a bit like that, but in all muscles,” she continued.
“There’s little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain,” she added with sadness.
But Claudette is hopeful that researchers and experts will be able to find a cure for her sister.
