The past three years have been challenging for Celine Dion after getting diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that causes muscle spasms and rigidity in the limbs. This condition has negatively impacted her music career, hence why she took a long break from singing.
Thankfully, the legendary singer graced the NHL game in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with not just her presence but also her well-missed voice as she “sang a few notes.” The 55-year-old enjoyed the event as she watched her hometown team, the Montreal Canadians, compete against the Vegas Golden Knights.
It was an ‘incredible’ moment
Celine opened up about her illness in December 2022, which caused her to cancel her Courage World tour. “Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome which affects something like one in a million people. While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” she said.
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Despite the difficulty she now experiences with her vocal cords, Celine treated the game’s audience to a brief performance, one which the Vice President of hockey communications, Chantal Machabee, called “incredible.” “She’s an amazing woman. She’s been through a lot, and to see her like this and smiling and being so happy… It’s amazing. I know she has good days and not-so-good days, but this was a very good day, and it was reassuring,” Chantal said.
Update on Celine’s recovery
Stiff person syndrome is a progressive disease, and there is no known cure for it; however, Celine’s sister assured fans she is “doing everything to recover.” “She’s a strong woman,” Claudette said. “It’s an illness we know so little about. There’s little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain.”
The iconic singer also noted while announcing the tragic news that she is “on the road to recovery” and “doing everything to recuperate” from the disease, which is known to affect more women than men. “She has not given up at all. She is hoping to get all of the issues with this disease under control so she can sing again,” a source told PEOPLE in May.