Celine Dion’s sister Claudette has opened up about her heartbreaking neurological condition that turns its sufferers into ‘human statues’…
This comes after the singer was forced to cancel her tour earlier this year.
She received a very worrying diagnosis.
Since then, Dion has reached out to fans.
While doctors and specialists have revealed more information about her condition.
But now, her sister has given a behind the scenes look at what’s really going on.
Scroll down for more…
Celine Dion is an icon.
She started out her music career in her home country of France and quickly learned she had an immense talent for singing.
After getting recognition for her music in the ’80s, she went on to win the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, representing Switzerland.
She learned to speak English not long after, which opened a lot of doors for the singer.
She went on to sign a record deal with Epic Records in the United States, and this did wonders for her popularity.
In the ’90s, she achieved worldwide fame for her best-selling albums Falling into You (1996) and Let’s Talk About Love (1997).
Dion is now one of the best-selling music artists of all time…
And has sold over 200 million record sales worldwide!
What makes Dion’s music so influential is that it incorporates genres such as pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and classical music…
Which is no mean feat.
It’s no surprise she has millions of fans worldwide, and that her music is still just as popular today.
Incredibly, the fifty-four-year-old is still selling out stadiums with her tours.
However, some devastating news has emerged about her most recent tour.
Leaving fans heartbroken…
Celine Dion was forced to cancel the remaining shows of her current tour back in January.
Dion had no choice other than to cancel the remainder of the North American leg of the Courage World Tour.
Fans were understandably devastated by the news…
But many shared their support for the star after learning the reason why.
One fan wrote: “Praying for you to recover soon, Céline.”
While another commented: “Holding you in my thoughts and prayers.”
“Your health is more important is fans love your music and so forth we will see you when you get better,” a third chimed.
While another added: “Sending healing angels and love your way.”
Many fans admitted that they are disappointed the shows have been canceled, though her health and well-being are certainly more important.
Dion, who was forced to postpone her Las Vegas residency in October due to ill health, took to Instagram to confirm the awful news.
The singer wrote: “I was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing.”
“There’s a lot of organizing and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road. I’ll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again.”
She concluded her post…
“Meanwhile, I’ve been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me. – Celine xx…”
Dion was reportedly suffering from severe pain.
And can’t perform to the best of her ability.
Dion has since updated fans about her health issues…
And although she was set to perform in Las Vegas at The Theatre, Resorts World from November through to February, the singer decided to postpone it even further.
Dion’s rare talent has already drawn in fans from the world over, and many were looking forward to seeing the star this winter in Nevada.
However, things didn’t quite go to plan, and Dion shared a press release on Instagram detailing the: “unforeseen medical symptoms [that] have forced the singer to delay the opening and cancel the performances scheduled.”
According to reports, the document explained that: “Céline has been experiencing severe and persistent muscle spasms which are preventing her from performing.”
She said that she was “heartbroken” by the postponement, and told fans via her Instagram caption: “I’m heartbroken by this. My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.”
“My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand-new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it’s absolutely beautiful,” she continued.
“I feel so bad that I’m letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas. Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can.”
“I hope you’ll recover soon. Sending prayers your way Celine Dion. Please stay safe,” one fan wrote after hearing the news.
While a fourth sent good vibes the singer’s way: “Love you and sending good vibes and a much love.”
But then, Dion revealed the devastating diagnosis that has halted her performances…
She took to Instagram to inform her followers of the heartbreaking news.
She said in the post: “Hello everyone, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.
“As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.”
“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects 1 in a million people.”
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having,” Dion added.
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.
“It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help.”
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS), the disorder is “characterized by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs…
“And a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms.”
Celine then offered fans a heartbreaking health update.
She had to delay the opening of her Las Vegas show, and she shared the news on Insta.
She wrote: “I’m heartbroken by this. My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.”
“My partners at Resorts World Las Vegas and AEG have been working around the clock to get this brand-new state-of-the-art theatre ready, and it’s absolutely beautiful.”
“I feel so bad that I’m letting them down, and I’m especially sorry for disappointing all the fans who’ve been making their plans to come to Las Vegas. Now, I have to focus on getting better… I want to get through this as soon as I can. – Celine xx.”
A doctor then offered an insight into her rare neurological condition.
Doctor Scott Newsome has explained the syndrome better.
“It’s a devastating disease,” he said. “On average because of how rare it is, early on in the disease, it can mimic a lot of other conditions. It takes about seven years for people to get diagnosed – from symptom onset to actual diagnosis.”
“It’s really when people start having more disability that comes to the doctor’s attention.”
“Someone will present to clinic with their axial torso and muscles quite rigid, they may have tightness in their legs… they get horrific spasms in really any muscle in the body. It’s quite painful,” he went on.
“It seems to be adults,” the doctor continued. “Middle to later in years, and there tends to be a female predominance.”
“From the core immunological dysregulation that’s happening, we are a little bit behind the game in terms of understanding what’s going on in patients.”
“It’s this overstimulation that occurs that leads to disability in SPS.”
You can watch the fascinating video here …
A source close to Dion has offered an update.
“Celine is in an enormous amount of pain. She has the best medical team money can buy but things aren’t looking good,” they told Radar Online.
“Her disease is incurable. And as hard she’s worked at it with doctors and therapists, she simply isn’t getting better.”
But there was some positive news …
“Celine has 11 brothers and sisters living in Canada. It’s an amazing, loving support system for her during a time of personal crisis.”
And now, Celine’s sister Claudette has offered a heartwrenching update.
Speaking to Le Journal de Montreal, Claudette Dion shared: “We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.”
“I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest.”
“She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game.”
“At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.”
“When I call her and she’s busy, I speak to my sister Linda who lives with her and tells me that she’s working hard,” she concluded. “She’s listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible.”
Our thoughts go out to Celine Dion and her family during this difficult time.