Céline Dion has revealed she’s living with a rare neurological disorder.
The music icon, who has now announced that she’s postponing all her 2023 shows for a year, opened up about her condition in a video posted to social media:
“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” she begins, visibly emotional.
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“Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome which affects something like one in a million people. While we are still learning about this rare condition we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms I’ve been having.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition also known as Moersch-Woltman Syndrome, is a rare disorder of “motor function characterised by involuntary stiffness of axial muscles and superimposed painful muscle spasms, which are often induced by startle or emotional stimuli.”
Céline goes on to share that the syndrome is affecting “every aspect” of her daily life including walking and using her vocal chords to sing.
She adds that she has “a great team of doctors” beside her as well as her sons, who are supporting her through her care.
“I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. But I have to admit, it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and what I love to do the most.”
Céline ends her message reassuring fans she’s doing everything she can to recuperate: “I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery.”
(Feature Image Credit: @celinedion/Instagram)
