Disappointed by the cancelations of the Canadian singer’s shows, which have affected both her Courage tour and delayed shows in her Las Vegas residency, fans have been waiting to hear when her performances would resume. The reason given for the cancelations was that Dion had been suffering severe muscle spasms, and fans, already worried about her weight loss, and that Dion was too skinny, had been hoping for an announcement of her recovery from her health issues. Instead, they were dealt a further blow, when The Power of Love singer revealed the reason for the spasms.
On December 8, 2022, fans were shocked to learn that the icon has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, which will keep her offstage for even longer. Finally, fans had answers about what was going on with Celine Dion's health.
Celine Revealed She Has A Severe Illness
In an emotional Instagram video, a visibly upset Dion told viewers that she would have to cancel eight of her Summer shows, set to resume in February 2023. She has also rescheduled her Spring show dates, moving them to the following year, so that she can devote time to healing.
Dion has been diagnosed with the little-known Stiff-person syndrome (SPS), also known as Moersch-Woltman syndrome. It’s a rare neurological condition, which affects as few as one in a million people. The condition affects the way the spinal cord and brain control muscle movements.
Patients typically experience painfully stiff muscles, which makes it hard for them to move. Over time, people with SPS may eventually develop hunched-over postures.
The cause of SPS not yet known, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder, which usually occurs when a person's immune system incorrectly identifies healthy body tissues as harmful and attacks them.
There are a variety of triggers for the muscle spasms which occur with SPS. These can include changes in temperature, whether extreme heat or cold. Another trigger can be a setting where there is heightened sensory input, as patients experience increased sensitivity to noise and touch, and emotion.
Doctors say it's important for patients to control and lessen these triggers to avoid the condition becoming worse. Currently, there is no cure for SPS.
What The Diagnosis Means For The Singer
In her video, Dion told fans how SPS is impacting her. “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,” she said.
The triggers and impacts of the condition have a terrifying significance for the singer and her millions of fans. The effect on her voice means she may no longer be able to do what she does so well. Dion is known for exercising amazing control when she is singing, and by her own admission, she has been struggling to do so.
The effect the condition will have on her movement will lead to limitations that would make stage performance difficult.
The strict exercise regime she has been following has been widely debated, and will also, in all likelihood, have to end or be adapted.
Even if she were able to sing and perform on stage using less movement, the heightened sensitivity to sound would be an additional concern. Not only due to the amplification systems in the huge venues she plays, but given the sizes of her audiences.
The cheering and clapping from them in appreciation of her performances would be difficult for her to handle. In addition, the crowds that surround Dion wherever she goes might provide triggers that could worsen her symptoms.
For some suffering from the condition, even leaving their homes is impossible. However, there are varying degrees of the disorder, and fans will be hoping the Canadian singer will have a milder case with less severe symptoms.
It's another blow for the Canadian singer, who is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her husband and manager, René Angélil.
Dion's Diagnosis May Help Others Suffering From SPS
One glimmer of light is the fact that Dion’s announcement that she has the condition, may help to raise awareness of SPS, which, until now, has been a relatively unknown disorder.
Specialists in the field believe the increased awareness may have a positive effect, and possibly aid funding for the search for a cure, and ultimately lead to better treatments for those suffering from the condition.
A spokesperson for the Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation (SPSRF) has told the medical website Verywell Health that they’re grateful to My Heart Will Go On singer for shedding light on SPS.
“In one day, Celine woke the world up to SPS,” the spokesperson said. “She is using her beautiful and powerful voice to shine a light on this devastating disease.”
Fans Are Showing Love To Celine Amid Her Diagnosis
Celebrities and fans alike have been showing love since the video aired. Among the many supportive messages, Perez Hilton wrote:" You are in my heart! You always have been! May sharing this be a huge weight off your shoulders and accelerate the healing journey for you.”
Dion, who is worth $800 million, has often said all she knows is singing, and has vowed to return to the stage. The mother of three ended her video with this declaration: “I love you guys so much, and I really hope I can see you again real soon.”
Fans are hoping the wait will not be too long.
