What is the Stiff-Person Syndrome that has halted Celine Dion's singing career?

Internationally acclaimed Canadian singer Celine Dion was diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome a year ago and has been dealing with it ever since. Stiff-Person Syndrome is a rare neurological condition that has affected her life and career. After the singer was diagnosed, her sister Claudette Dion has been handling her career all by herself.

Claudette Dion recently shared the current status of Celine Dion’s health, revealing that her muscles are not in her control and that her situation is getting worse day by day. As much as Celine Dion wants to come back to the stage and start singing again, her body is not allowing her to do that.

In this article, we will further learn about the journey of Celine Dion and her condition.

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Who is Celine Dion and what happened to her?

Celine Dion is dealing with a rare disorder. (image by celinedion via Instagram)

Celine Dion is a Canadian singer who has been suffering from Stiff-Person Syndrome for a year now. The 55-year-old has had exceptional success in her career. She has won five Grammy awards among her many accolades, and achieved worldwide fame and popularity for her song, 'My Heart Will Go On' from the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic.

What exactly is Stiff-Person Syndrome that has affected Celine Dion?

It is a progressive and a rare neurological disorder of the axial and proximal limb muscles in which the patient suffers from muscle stiffness and spasms. American doctors Frederick Moersch and Henry Woltman first reported the illness in 1956 due to which Stiff-Person Syndrome also came to be known as the Moersch-Woltman Syndrome.

As per the US National Institute of Health (NIH), Stiff-Person Syndrome affects one in a million and is twice more likely to affect females, with symptoms appearing mostly between the ages of 20 and 60. These symptoms generally involve rigidity of muscles in the limbs and the torso region, with recurrent violent spams that can last upto seconds, minutes or in worst cases, even hours. Over time, the spasms make it difficult for the patient to walk properly. The pain and the resulting discomfort often accompany anxiety and depression, severely affecting normal life.

Stiff-Person Syndrome is often associated with other autoimmune disorders, thyroid disorder, diabetes and in rare cases, cancer. The most common cause is the presence of anti-GAD65 antibodies which block the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme. Due to this, it stops the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter, affecting the central nervous system.

Although there is still no cure for this disease, the patient needs constant care and attention to manage the illness through mental health counseling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and stress management, among others.

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How did Stiff-Person Syndrome affect Celine Dion's career?

Stiff-Person Syndrome happens to one in a million people. (image by 8photo on freepik)

In December 2022, Celine Dion revealed the news about her disorder. In May this year, she canceled her European Courage World Tour till 2024.

On Instagram, the singer apologized to her fans, citing how touring can be very difficult with such an illness. She asked for time to be healthy enough to conduct shows again.

“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again," Celine Dion wrote.

Although Celine wants to come back to work, her sister Claudette Dion recently told 7 Jours that her condition is still very serious. She said:

“It’s true that, in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle.

"This is what comes to get me. Because [Dion’s condition is a] one out of a million case, the scientists haven’t done that much research because it didn’t affect that many people.”

Claudette Dion even previously updated Celine Dion's followers about her condition in August with the Hello! magazine, saying:

“It’s an illness we know so little about. ... There are spasms — they’re impossible to control, you know people who often jump up in the night because of a cramp in the leg or the calf? It’s a bit like that but in all muscles. There’s little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain.”

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The condition from which Celine Dion is suffering is rather concerning as it is a rare condition that has its downsides because researchers are still trying to figure out a cure for it. The singer has a long battle in front of her and we wish her the best.