Oscar-winning singer Celine Dion has “lost control over her muscles” following a year-long battle with an autoimmune neurological disorder, stiff-person syndrome, her sister Claudette Dion revealed in an interview with Canadian Magazine 7 Jours.
“She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles,” said Claudette in the interview, adding, “What breaks my heart is that she has always been disciplined.”
Claudette highlighted how the rarity of the disease, which causes excruciating spasms, has caused the family members of other patients to lose hope. As of now there is no permanent cure for the condition and not much research is being done on it.
One of the biggest risks involved in Celine’s case is that the disease may affect the functioning of her heart and throat, Claudette said.
The prescribed medication has failed to yield satisfactory results. However, loving messages, blessings and gifts from numerous fans worldwide continue to bolster Celine’s faith and that of her family.
"If only you knew the number of phone calls the Foundation (Celine’s family-run charity Fondation Maman Dion) gets about Céline. People tell us they love her and they're praying for her. She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes,” Claudette said.
The five-time-grammy winner had announced her medical condition in a video she shared on Instagram on December 8, 2022. “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,” wrote Celine. The neurological disorder had also prompted the cancellation of her forthcoming Europe tour, she announced on Instagram.
Claudette’s update on Celine’s health in 7 Jours comes roughly six weeks after the singer’s first appearance in public in three-and-a-half years. Celine, with her sons, attended an NHL hockey game in Las Vegas in October. After the game, the 55-year-old singer and her sons went to the locker room to pose for a few photographs with the players.
The hockey team Montreal Canadiens later posted those pictures on Instagram with the caption, “Still not coming back from it. Iconic.”
Celine is best known for her Titanic song My Heart Will Go On and other hit numbers like I'm Alive, Think Twice and Because You Loved Me.
