Celine Dion ‘determined’ to perform again amid stiff person syndrome battle: One of ‘hardest experiences of my life’
Céline Dion said her battle with stiff person syndrome is “one of the hardest experiences of [her] life.”Instagram/@celinedion
Celine Dion is on a mission to get back onstage despite battling stiff person syndrome.
“Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible,” the pop diva, 55, wrote on Instagram Friday.
She then added alongside a photo of herself with son René-Charles Angélil, 23, and 13-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson, “I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!”
The singer announced her diagnosis in December 2022. Getty Images
She shared the news in a tearful video. celinedion/Instagram
Dion shared the message in honor of stiff person syndrome awareness day, which is on March 15.
“I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world that have been affected by SPS,” the “My Heart Will Go On” singer continued in her post.
“I want you to know you can do it! We can do it!” she concluded, signing off, “Love Celine xx.”
The Grammy winner wrote that she is “determined to one day get back onto the stage.” AFP via Getty Images
Dion thanked her family and fans for their support. AFP/Getty Images
According to the National Institutes of Health, stiff person syndrome is a “rare, progressive neurological disorder” that can cause stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs.
In December 2022, Dion went public with her diagnosis and described it at the time as “a very rare neurological syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people.”
For more Page Six you love…
Listen to our weekly “We Hear” podcast
Shop our exclusive merch
“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 said in an emotional video at the time.
Dion was forced to cancel her “Courage” tour shortly after, but promised fans even then that she was “not giving up” and couldn’t “wait to see” them again.
Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards in February. AFP via Getty Images
She was there to present the Album of the Year award. FilmMagic
Last December, her sister Claudette Dion shared that the mother of three had allegedly “lost control” of her muscles amid her health woes.
However, Celine gave hope that she was on the mend when she made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards last month to present the Album of the Year award to Taylor Swift.
“The Power of Love” singer told the audience during the live broadcast at the time, “When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”