Celine Dion has stepped away from the music scene since she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome last year. She initially postponed her tour dates but had to cancel in May due to the rare autoimmune disease that had sadly progressed, hindering her ability to sing and impacting her overall health.
Dion’s sister Claudette shared a shocking update that her situation had worsened as she is unable to control her muscles. “She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined. She’s always worked hard,” she said.
Fans raise prayers for Dion
03/02/2017 The World Premiere of “Beauty and the Beast” held at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood, CA Photo by Izumi Hasegawa / HollywoodNewsWire.co
Fans expressed their concern on social media, fearing a possible loss of the iconic singer. “We cannot lose her,” someone exclaimed. Others described the news as “heartbreaking,” asking “Why her?” Claudette mentioned that the “My Heart Will Go On” singer receives regular check-ins from fans via the Fondation Maman Dion.
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The foundation, where Claudatte works as the CEO and spokesperson, was created by their mother to help disadvantaged children. “If you only knew how many calls we receive at the Foundation to hear from Céline. People tell us they love her and pray for her,” Claudette added. “She gets so many messages, gifts, blessed crucifixes.”
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2017
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5/21/17
Celine Dion at The 2017 Billboard Music Awards at The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Will Celine Dion ever get back on the road?
Claudette revealed that her sister hopes to perform again, but the chances have grown slim. “It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage,” she admitted. “In what capacity? I don’t know.” She also stressed that Dion’s condition is an unusual case, which makes it more difficult to treat. “It’s one in a million case, scientists don’t have that much research on the topic, because it didn’t affect that many people,” Claudette explained.
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Copyright 2017
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Telephone/Fax: (212) 995-1196
5/1/17
Celine Dion at the 2017 Costume Institute Gala – “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between”.
(Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC)
Experts say the disease affects twice as many women than men, and “causes the body to become rigid and more sensitive to noise, touch and emotional distress.” While announcing the cancellation of her Courage World tour earlier this year, Dion assured fans that she was “working really hard to build back my strength.”
“I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!” she added at the time.