Celine Dion is one of the most beloved and talented music stars in the industry. She has not only changed history forever with her iconic melodies but also with her wonderful lyrics, such as “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now“.
She has been unable to take the stage for some time now because in 2021 she was diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disease that affects the central nervous system.
It has been a quite tough process for her, and although she wasn’t ready to share it earlier, she has now done so with her new documentary on Prime Video, titled “I Am: Céline Dion“, which has been the No. 1 movie worldwide.
What is the stiff-person syndrome?
Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disease that affects the central nervous system and is characterized by symptoms or episodes of intense muscle stiffness and involuntary spasms.
In addition to these symptoms, people with SPS may also experience feelings of anxiety and fear triggered by emotional or physical stimuli, which can be quite painful.
According to the official website of GARD, the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, episodes often “occur due to increased sensitivity to noise, touch, and as a response to startle“.
In most cases, each of the symptoms tends to occur in patients aged between 30 and 60 years old. It is more common among women and has been classified as an autoimmune disease.
What are the symptoms of stiff-person syndrome?
- Abnormal postures
- Episodes of muscle stiffness and spasms
- Falls due to spasms and muscle stiffness
- Cerebral palsy
- Epilepsy
- Anxiety and depression
How did it affect Celine Dion?
Celine Dion has been suffering from SPS for almost four years and has experienced significant difficulties, not only through muscle stiffness but also noticing certain changes in her voice.
It has affected her ability to perform live and has required her to adapt her lifestyle to manage the symptoms of muscle stiffness and involuntary spasms characteristic of the syndrome.
Her experience has been both a personal and professional challenge, but she has shown courage and resilience in sharing her story through the documentary “I Am: Céline Dion” on Prime Video, which is dedicated to her fans.
Although she was diagnosed in 2021, she didn’t share the news with the world until December 2022, when she posted a video on Instagram informing her fans about what was happening. There, she said:
“Hello everyone, I’m sorry it took me so long to reach out to all of you. I miss you all so much and I’m looking forward to getting back on stage and talking to you in person. As you know, I’ve always been an open book and before I wasn’t ready to say anything, but now I am“.
She was not only ready to tell the world but also to announce the cancellation of the remaining dates of her Courage tour. She finally added, “Although we are still learning about this rare disease, we now know what has been causing all the spasms I’ve been having“.
