Celine Dion’s Rare Medical Condition: Legendary Singer Struggles to Walk and Sing After Recent Health Scare
This week, musical icon Celine Dion announced on Twitter that her upcoming “Courage world tour” would be canceled following a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that affects one in a million people. The 55-year-old singer had earlier postponed her scheduled shows after publicly disclosing in December that she had been diagnosed with SPS, a condition that causes muscle stiffness and spasms. She noted at the time that the medical disorder had made it more difficult for her to walk and sing.
Also Read: “I’m not giving up”: Celine Dion Reveals Stiff Person Syndrome That Threatens Her $800M Empire
Celine Dion Has Canceled Her Courage World Tour Owing To Health Concerns
The My Heart Will Go On singer said that it was a “tremendous disappointment” in a tweet on May 26 and promised fans refunds. She issued a statement saying,
“It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it hurts me, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.”
Celine Dion apologized for disappointing everyone once more in a statement. “I’m working incredibly hard to regain my strength, but touring is challenging even when you’re at your peak,” she added.
I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again… and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything until I’m really ready to be back on stage… I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!” – Celine xx…
More info👉https://t.co/DHUch7W7OF pic.twitter.com/bgszxVd1za— Celine Dion (@celinedion) May 26, 2023
The singer’s terrible spasms cause her muscles to lock into place, forcing her to topple over, so she can no longer cross the street for fear of turning into a human statue.
Taking to her social media, the singer said: “As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but now I’m ready”.
“I have been dealing with my health issues for a long time and it was very difficult for me to face my challenges and talk about everything I was going through.”
She continued, “I miss you so much. I miss seeing you all on stage performing for you”
“I have no choice but to focus on my health right now to get back to you and I hope I’m on the road to recovery.”
“That’s my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recover.”
Dion postponed a number of her performances earlier this year for both her Las Vegas residency and her North American tour due to health issues. Eight of her summer 2023 performances will now be canceled, while her spring 2023 performances will be moved to 2024.
So What Exactly Is Stiff Person Syndrome?
Fans were shocked when the Power of Love singer disclosed in December that she had been given a stiff person syndrome diagnosis, which she said: “affects something like one in a million people.”
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, stiff person syndrome can result in muscle rigidity and spasms, increased sensitivity to light and sound stimuli, as well as emotional distress that can result in muscle spasms. Due to its rarity, diagnosing it can take years, and there is currently no treatment available.
It frequently comes along with muscle spasms, some of which may be extremely severe. According to Dr. Emile Sami Moukheiber of the Stiff Person Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine, this can lead to falls, excruciating pain, and substantial impairment.
Dion explains that the muscle 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.”
Despite the fact that the condition’s source is unknown, research indicates that it might be brought on by an aberrant response in the brain or spinal cord. There is currently no treatment, however, symptoms can be managed with drugs such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and steroids.
The stiff person syndrome is not necessarily fatal. Patients are able to lead relatively normal lives when their symptoms are well-controlled. However, specialists warn that when the symptoms cannot be controlled, serious impairments may result.
We hope to see Celine Dion soon on stage to sing those melodies!
Source: BBC
