Céline Dion, the legendary Canadian singer, has announced that she is postponing some dates on her European tour due to a recent diagnosis of the rare neurological condition known as stiff-person syndrome. In two heartfelt videos shared on her social media accounts, Dion explained that her debilitating illness prevents her from singing the way she is used to.
Stiff-person syndrome is a condition characterized by increasing muscle rigidity and muscle spasms, which can cause immobility and difficulty in performing daily tasks. According to The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation, patients may find themselves unable to care for themselves due to the limitations imposed by this condition.
Dion bravely shared that her muscle spasms have a significant impact on her everyday life. Expressing her emotions, she tearfully admitted that her illness makes it difficult for her to move and communicate as she used to. She described the challenges she has faced, saying, “Facing these problems and talking about everything that’s happened to me has been quite difficult for me. I’ve had health problems for a very long time.”
As a result of her illness, Dion expressed her disappointment that she had to postpone the European leg of her tour, which was originally scheduled to begin in February. The new date for her 2023 tour has now been set, and eight performances between May 31 and July 17, 2023, have been rescheduled.
Despite the setbacks, Dion assured her fans that she is working closely with her family, medical professionals, and doctors to get better. She emphasized her desire to return to the stage, stating, “I’m just a singer. I’ve been doing that all my life, and I find the most happiness in doing it.”
The Premier of Québec, François Legault, expressed sympathy for Dion’s condition, hoping for her quick recovery. During a question and answer session, Legault conveyed his support for the iconic singer.
In a touching tribute to Dion, a children’s choir played “My Heart Will Go On” in Toronto’s Queen’s Park, showcasing their admiration for her talent and wishing her well.
To improve her strength and performance, Dion shared that she meets with a sports medicine therapist every day. Despite missing her audience dearly, she remains optimistic and expressed how much she misses her fans. She explained, “Normally, when I perform, I offer everything I’ve got, but my health prevents me from doing so for you.”
Dion canceled her world tour this year due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms.” For updates on Dion’s tour schedule, fans can visit her website.
Stiff-person syndrome is a rare condition, with a estimated 5,000 cases in the country, according to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Although symptoms can manifest at any point in a patient’s life, they are most commonly observed in adulthood.
