Will Celine Dion Perform Again After Stiff Person Syndrome Diagnosis?
By Movieguide® Contributor
Grammy Award-winning musician Celine Dion may perform again after canceling her 2023 and 2024 tours due to her stiff person syndrome diagnosis.
“Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder. Symptoms of the progressive condition may include stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs, as well as muscle spasms that may be triggered by noises, touch or emotional distress, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,” TODAY.com reported.
“The condition can have a severe effect on quality of life. People with stiff person syndrome may develop hunched postures and may struggle to walk or move. People may also fall more frequently because they lack the muscle reflexes to catch themselves, which can lead to injury,” TODAY added.
Dion opened up about her diagnosis in December 2022 on Instagram.
“We now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” she said in the video. “Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
However, “A lot of people are able to make recovery to the point that their condition is stable. They’re not worsening anymore. They can continue to live fairly mobile (lives),” Dr. Desimir Mijatovic, a pain management specialist with the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, told TODAY.com in 2022.
“People like Celine are oftentimes able to overcome a lot of amazing things, and I definitely think it’s something that’s possible,” he added.
Although Dion canceled her tours for 2023 and 2024, she is hopeful.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again,” Dion shared on her website. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!”
Movieguide® recently reported on her health:
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.
“We’re crossing our fingers that researchers will find a remedy for this awful illness,” she stated.
