Céline Dion's fight to return to the stage will continue.
The 55-year-old hitmaker, who according to her sister lost control of her muscles due to Stiff Person Syndrome, is working hard to overcome her condition, according to sources.
“Celine is a fighter,” an insider told US Weekly. “She doesn't have as much control over her muscles as before, but she is working with doctors and physical therapists to get better.”
The source claimed: “Celine has taken time to focus on her health but plans to return to the stage as soon as her medical team gives the green light.”
Celine Dion's battle to return to the stage will continue as she battles stiff person syndrome. “She doesn't have as much control over her muscles as before, but she's working with doctors and physical therapists to get better,” a source told US Weekly (pictured in Miami in January 2020)
A second informed person confirms these claims.
“She remains positive and optimistic and does her physical therapy every day,” the insider said.
“It is her constant dream to get back on stage in some capacity, even if she can no longer sing; She just wants to see those smiling faces.'
According to John Hopkins Medicine, Stiff Person Syndrome is a “rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly results in muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go and can worsen over time.”
The Grammy winner was last seen at a hockey game in Las Vegas with her twins Eddy and Nelson, 13, and her eldest son Charles-Rene, 22, watching the Montreal Canadiens lose to the Golden Knights.
Celine shared her sons with her late husband Rene Angelil.
“My boys and I had so much fun visiting the Montreal Canadiens after their hockey game with the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas on Monday night,” the My Heart Will Go On singer wrote on November 1.
“You played so well, what a game!! Thanks for meeting us after the game, guys! That was unforgettable for all of us. Have a great season! – Celine xx…'
The Grammy winner was last seen at a hockey game in Las Vegas with her twins Eddy and Nelson, 13, and her eldest son Charles-Rene, 22, watching the Montreal Canadiens lose to the Golden Knights. This photo was posted on Instagram on November 1st
Another source said the Grammy winner remains “positive and optimistic and is doing her physical therapy every day” (pictured in Los Angeles in February 1999).
Although she won't be releasing any new music in the near future, Celine and her team have made sure to keep her fans updated on the 25th anniversary of her holiday album These Are Special Times.
“In 1998, after releasing the critically acclaimed albums Falling Into You, Let's Talk About Love and S'il suffisait d'aimer, Céline gave us her own precious holiday gift: These Are Special Times,” her team wrote in the social media
“This beloved Christmas album includes classics such as O Holy Night, Happy Xmas (War is Over) and The Prayer, a beautiful duet with Andrea Bocelli.”
“And now, 25 years later, These Are Special Times remains one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time.”
The LP sold around 12 million copies.
The Power of Love artist announced last December that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome and was quitting performing.
The Power of Love artist announced last December that she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome and was quitting performing
Sources say Celine is struggling to overcome her health battle
STIFF PERSON SYNDROME: INcurable neurological disease that blocks the body
Stiff person syndrome is an extremely rare condition in which the muscles in the trunk and limbs alternately spasm and stiffen.
It is estimated to affect around 70 people in the UK and 330 people in the US and is still poorly understood. Around twice as many women as men are affected.
As the disease progresses, patients' stiffness increases over time and may require them to use a wheelchair.
There are generally three types of the syndrome:
- Classic Person-Man Syndrome: When stiffness and cramps occur in the back and stomach area and occasionally in the thighs and neck. Over time, a curvature of the back may occur.
- Stiff limb syndrome: Cramps primarily affect the legs and feet and occasionally lead to them cramping. Hands can also be affected.
- Jerking Stiff Person Syndrome: The rarest and most aggressive form, which includes symptoms of both others and also affects the head and eyes.
Experts don't know what exactly is behind the disease.
However, they believe the cause may be an autoimmune reaction, in which the body attacks its own nerve cells that control muscle movement.
Around 40 percent of those affected also suffer from type 1 diabetes, another autoimmune disease. Type 1 diabetes is particularly associated with classic person syndrome.
Other autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo, which causes white patches of skin, and pernicious anemia are also associated.
It is also more common in people with breast, lung, kidney, thyroid or colon cancer, as well as lymphoma, but researchers don't yet know why.
In stiff person syndrome, the immune system attacks a protein that helps make gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which regulates motor neurons – the nerves that control movement.
Low GABA levels cause neurons to fire continuously when they shouldn't, leading to spasms and stiffness.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of stiff person syndrome are spasms and stiffness of the trunk and limbs.
Cramps can be triggered by loud noises, and the condition also leads to increased sensitivity to noise.
Touch and emotional stress can also be felt more strongly due to the illness.
The cramps can be so severe that they cause you to fall over or cause difficulty walking and other disabilities.
Stress and anxiety also tend to be higher among sufferers, particularly due to the unpredictability of cramps.
The lack of GABA – which regulates anxiety – in their system also impacts mental health.
“I've struggled with health issues for a long time and I've found it really difficult to face these challenges and talk about everything I've been through,” she said in an emotional video.
Although she initially postponed her Courage World Tour until spring 2024, the Golden Globe winner decided to cancel it in May.
“Even though it breaks my heart, it's best we cancel everything until I'm really ready to be on stage again,” she told her loyal fans.
The determined artist appears to have kept the promise she made earlier this year to continue working on her health. “I want you all to know that I'm not giving up… and I can't wait to see you again!” she said at the time.