Céline Dion has revealed that she has been dealing with a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome.
The 54-year-old music icon shared a heart-wrenching video on her Instagram account.
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"Hello everyone, as you know I've always been an open book, and I wasn't ready to share anything before, but I'm ready now," says the Candian singer. "I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time...recently I've been diagnosed with the very rare neurological disorder called the Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people."
The video was accompanied by a caption announcing that Céline would be rescheduling her tour dates for 2023. "It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February," it says, along with: "Céline Dion reschedules Spring 2023 shows to 2024 and cancels eight of her summer 2023 shows."
Stiff Person Syndrome is described by Yale Medecine as a rare neurological and autoimmune disorder, for which there is no known cause. Symptoms include violent muscle spasms and stiffening in the muscles of the limbs and torso. There is no known cure for SPS and clinicians generally seek to alleviate symptoms through sedatives, steroids, immunotherapy, or through physical therapy.
During her video, Céline says that she has a "great team of doctors" helping her to get better and that she is working hard with a sports medicine therapist to build her strength.
"All I know is singing," the 54-year-old says. "It's what I've done all my life and it's what I love to do most. I always give 100% when I do my shows but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now. For me to reach you again. I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment."
At the end of her emotional broadcast, the singer says "Take care of yourselves, be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again soon."
Since posting the video, Céline has been flooded with messages of support from her fans:
"We Are with you Céline, we are all praying for your health and recovery!" writes one fan."We love you deeply, you're such a beautiful soul." writes another.
Céline was scheduled to play at the 3Arena Dublin on March 30 and 31st 2023. Her Dublin shows have now been postponed to April 2024.
