The well-known Canadian singer Celine Dion is still committed to performing live even though she suffers from stiff person syndrome.
The 56-year-old singer confirmed her intention to perform live again in an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show. She said she was prepared to face any challenge, even if it meant crawling to the stage and interacting with gestures.
“I’m going back on stage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will,” she vowed.
Dion shared her 17-year-long struggle in private with Stiff Person Syndrome, a disorder for which she has been exhibiting symptoms since 2008 but only made public in 2022.
Saying it felt like she was being choked, she talked about the difficulties she had, like frequent cramping and even broken ribs.
In a similar story, Celine Dion revealed that she is suffering a rare neurological disease.
Celine revealed her stiff person syndrome (SPS) diagnosis in December 2022. SPS is an uncommon neurological condition that results in uncontrollably high levels of muscle tension.
Her older sister, Claudette Dion, also disclosed that in December 2023, the singer lost control of her muscles.
For yet, there is no treatment for SPS.
“well, but it’s a lot of work,” adding: “I’m taking it one day at a time”.
The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ hitmaker, who is the cover star for the magazine’s May edition, said she has not “beaten the disease” but would “learn to live with it”.
She also disclosed that she undergoes “athletic, physical and vocal training” five days a week to work on her muscles.
“I haven’t beat the disease, as it’s still within me and always will be. I hope that we’ll find a miracle, a way to cure it with scientific research, but for now, I have to learn to live with it. So that’s me, now with Stiff Person Syndrome,” she said.
“Five days a week I undergo athletic, physical and vocal therapy. I work on my toes, my knees, my calves, my fingers, my singing, my voice. I have to learn to live with it now and stop questioning myself.
“At the beginning I would ask myself why me? How did this happen? What have I done? Is this my fault? Life doesn’t give you any answers. You just have to live it! I have this illness for some unknown reason.
“The way I see it, I have two choices. Either I train like an athlete and work super hard, or I switch off and it’s over, I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of my mirror and sing to myself.
“I’ve chosen to work with all my body and soul, from head to toe, with a medical team. I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to see the Eiffel Tower again.”
