Celine Dion has shared herself at her most vulnerable amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome.
The 56-year-old Canadian singer shared her heartbreaking diagnosis back in 2022, telling fans: “I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome which affects one in a million people.”
The ‘My Heart Will Go On’ singer revealed that she had been suffering from spasms throughout her body, and – as her battle with the neurological disorder persisted – she was forced to cancel her Courage World Tour dates through 2024.
Now, the diagnosis, revelation, and the impact it has had on her career all feature in the upcoming Prime Video documentary I Am: Celine Dion, which will offer fans a candid and raw look into the life of one of music’s greatest singers. Check out the emotional trailer below:
In the newly released trailer, Dion can be seen recording her emotional 2022 message to supporters. She then talks about how she lives for the unmatched feeling of performing in front of fans.
But as the trailer cuts to scenes of countless medication bottles, Dion says: “It’s not hard to do a show, you know? It’s hard to cancel a show.”
With tears in her eyes, she then says: “I’m working hard every day. But I have to admit, it’s been a struggle.
“I miss it so much — the people, I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. I won’t stop.”
The emotional trailer comes just weeks after Dion spoke out about holding out for a “miracle”.
Gracing the cover of French Vogue, Dion told the publication: “I haven’t beat the disease, as it’s still within me and always will be.”
“I hope that we’ll find a miracle, a way to cure it with scientific research, but for now, I have to learn to live with it. So that’s me, now with Stiff Person Syndrome,” she said.
Dion then disclosed that amid her battle, she’s “working very hard and tomorrow will be even harder. Tomorrow is another day,” adding: “But there’s one thing that will never stop, and that’s the will. It’s the passion. It’s the dream. It’s the determination.”
What is Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS)?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), SPS is an exceedingly rare and progressive neurological disorder characterized by the following symptoms:
-Stiff Muscles: Individuals with SPS experience stiffness in the trunk (torso), arms, and legs.
-Heightened Sensitivity: They may also exhibit increased sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can trigger muscle spasms.
-Postural Changes: Over time, people with SPS may develop hunched-over postures, and some may become too disabled to walk or move.
-Falls and Injuries: Many individuals with SPS are prone to frequent falls due to their lack of normal reflexes to catch themselves, which can lead to serious injuries. This fear of falling can even make them reluctant to leave their homes.
We continue to wish Dion the very best with her health journey.
I Am: Celine Dion begins steaming on June 25 only on Prime Video.
