Celine Dion took a hiatus from performing due to her battle with “stiff-person” syndrome, a rare neurological disorder affecting her mobility and voice.
Her sister, Claudette Dion, shared that the illness has left Celine without control over her muscles, receiving an outpouring of support and prayers from fans worldwide.
Claudette, a singer and CEO of Fondation Maman Dion aiding disadvantaged children, expressed sadness over Celine’s condition, highlighting her sister’s discipline and the overwhelming affection people have for her.
Stiff-person syndrome, characterized by rigidity and heightened sensitivity to stimuli, often results in hunched postures and limited mobility.
Despite hopes for Celine’s return to the stage, uncertainty lingers due to the lack of extensive research on the disorder.
Claudette emphasized the uniqueness of Celine’s case, citing the scarce understanding among scientists due to its rarity and the complexities of its impact on vocal cords and the heart, both muscular.
This setback isn’t the first for Celine, who previously postponed shows in 2014 due to throat muscle inflammation amid caring for her late husband, René, battling cancer.
Stiff-person syndrome, affecting around 1 in a million people (possibly more), predominantly targets women and is associated with autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes and vitiligo.
Though treatments exist, such as muscle spasm relief drugs and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, the syndrome’s cause remains elusive.
Celine made a rare appearance greeting the Montreal Canadiens NHL team in November, highlighting her ongoing battle against the condition.
Source-CBSNEWS
