Celine Dion’s Struggle with Stiff-Person Syndrome: Sister Shares Heartbreaking Update
In a recent interview with the French-Canadian magazine 7 Jours, Claudette Dion, sister of the renowned singer Celine Dion, revealed that the artist is currently grappling with a lack of muscle control due to stiff-person syndrome.
The diagnosis was initially disclosed by Celine in December 2022, prompting the cancellation of her 2023 tour. Unfortunately, Claudette disclosed that her sister’s condition has since worsened, providing a disheartening health update.
In the interview, Claudette expressed, “She works hard, but she doesn’t have control of her muscles.” Stiff-person syndrome, a neurological disorder, induces periodic muscle stiffness and painful spasms. While there is no cure for this rare condition, a combination of muscle relaxants and sedatives can help manage symptoms, as previously reported by Business Insider’s Marianne Guenot.
Claudette, herself a singer, conveyed the emotional toll of witnessing Celine’s dedication to her career, stating, “What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined. She’s always worked hard.” Addressing the uncertainty of Celine’s return to the stage, Claudette remarked, “It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle.”
Concerns were raised about the lack of extensive research on stiff-person syndrome due to its rarity. Claudette noted, “This is what comes to get me. Since it’s one case in millions, scientists didn’t do that much research, because it didn’t affect that many people.”
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As of now, representatives for Celine Dion have not responded to Business Insider’s request for comment. Claudette previously disclosed in September that the singer has been contending with full-body spasms, presenting challenges for the family in alleviating her pain.
Celine initially shared her condition with fans via an Instagram post last year, revealing its impact on her daily life and singing ability. She expressed, “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.”