The iconic Canadian singer Céline Dion has postponed some of her European tour dates as a result of a recent diagnosis of the neurological condition stiff-person syndrome.
In two videos posted on her social media accounts (in English and French) on Thursday, Dion said that due to her serious sickness, she is unable to “sing the way I’m used to.”
This is influenced by the stiff-person syndrome, escalating muscle rigidity, and spasm illness. People with stiff person syndrome may be unable to care for themselves, incapacitated, or bedridden, according to The Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation.
Dion says she experiences muscle spasms which “impact every aspect of my everyday living.”
She continued, sobbing as she said that her illness made it difficult for her to walk and prevented her from using her voice as she was used to.
“It’s been incredibly difficult for me to face these obstacles and talk about everything that has happened to me,” she continued. “I’ve had health problems for quite some time.”
Dion admitted that she was disappointed that her illness prevented her from starting the European leg of her tour in February. She has postponed her 2023 tour to the following year. Between May 31 and July 17, 2023, eight of Dion’s scheduled performances were postponed.
The My Heart Will Go On singer assured fans that she, her family, and her doctors are making every effort to make things better for her.
The five-time Grammy winner declared her desire to perform once more.
“I can only sing,” she continued. “I’ve done that my whole life. And it’s what I’m most passionate about.
On Thursday morning, Premier of Québec François Legault expressed condolences for Dion’s illness. Legault expressed his wish for Dion to “get well as quickly as possible” to reporters on his approach to the National Assembly’s question period.
As part of their tribute to Dion, a children’s choir performed My Heart Will Go On in Toronto’s Queen’s Park.
To improve her performance and strength, Dion said she often sees a sports medicine therapist.
“I miss you so much. I miss seeing everyone,” Dion told her admirers. “Normally, I offer everything I have when I perform, but my health prevents me from doing so for you right now.”
Dion’s globe tour was canceled earlier this year due to “severe and ongoing muscle spasms.”
Dion’s website includes information about her current tour and any scheduled reschedules.
According to the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, fewer than 5,000 cases of stiff-person syndrome have been documented in the United States. Although symptoms can emerge at any point in a patient’s life, they are most typically observed throughout adulthood.