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The Canadian singer Celine Dion has announced that she suffers from an incurable neurological disease, which has kept her away from the stage and has caused her mobility problems.
In an emotional video posted on her Instagram account, the interpreter explains that the doctors have diagnosed her “stiff person syndrome”a rare autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system and that she explains is suffered by “one in a million people.”
“As you know, I’ve always been an open book, and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but now I am,” Dion says, fighting back tears.
The interpreter of “My heart will go on” he explains that he has been suffering from health problems for some time and that, until now, it has been very difficult for him to face this challenge or to talk about the difficulties he is going through.
“Although we’re still learning about this rare disease, we now know what’s been causing the spasms I’ve been having,” confesses the 54-year-old singer.
These spasms, he explains, “affect all aspects of my daily life, sometimes making it difficult for me to walk.” Syndrome It also affects your vocal cords.“not letting me use them like I’m used to.”
In the video, which has been recorded in English and French, The interpreter addresses her followers with emotion and affection, whom she says she “misses a lot”, and whom she hopes to be able to see again very soon in person and on stage.
However, Dion also announces that the tour that was going to start in 2023 and that was going to take her through a multitude of European countries, will have to wait. The information accompanying the video ensures that the shows will be rescheduled for 2024.
“I have a great team of doctors who work with me to help me recover,” says the interpreter of “Let’s talk about love“, who also has words for his “beloved children, who support me and give me hope.”
Celine Dion had three children with her husband and former music manager René Angelil, who died in 2016 due to throat cancer.
A disease that affects one in a million
The “stiff person syndrome” is characterized by a fluctuating muscle stiffness in the torso and limbsand increased sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can cause muscle spasms, as defined by the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
image source, Getty Images
Celine Dion with her eldest son René Charles Angelil.
People who suffer from this condition, who It affects twice as many women as men.they may have difficulty walking or moving, and often avoid leaving the house because street noises can trigger spasms and falls.
Scientists still do not understand what causes this syndrome, although it has been associated, according to the American institute, with other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo and pernicious anemia.
The disease is so rare that it is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, psychosomatic illness, or anxiety and phobia.
Although it is a disease that does not have, for the moment curemedications such as muscle relaxants may improve symptoms.
Therapy
In the video, Celine Dion explains that “I am working hard with my sports medicine therapist to regain my strength and ability to perform”, although she acknowledges that it is being a real “test”.
“All I know how to do is sing. It’s what I’ve done all my life. And it’s what I like to do the most,” she says, her voice cracking.
Dion, the youngest of a family of 14 brothers Originally from the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec, she began singing as a teenager.
Her musical career has spanned more than four decades, making her the queen of the romantic ballad.
image source, Instagram
Dion made the announcement on Instagram.
Although most of his international hits, such as the main theme of the soundtrack of the film “Titanic” -which won the Oscar for best original song in 1997- have been sung in English, Dion she is the best-selling French-speaking performer of all time.
In the video posted on Instagram, Dion gets emotional as she addresses her followers.
“I miss you so much. I miss seeing you all, being on stage, performing for you,” confesses the singer, who in January of this year already had to cancel a tour in North America.
Right now, he says, “I have to focus on my health, and I’m hopeful that I’m on the road to recovery.”
“I really hope to see them very soon,” he concludes.
image source, Getty Images
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