Legendary Canadian singer Céline Dion has postponed some of her European tour dates due to a recent diagnosis of a rare neurological disorder called rigidity syndrome.
In two videos posted on Thursday on Dion’s social media accounts (both in English and French), she claims her debilitating illness doesn’t allow her to “sing the way I used to.” .
Stiff person syndrome is an incurable disorder that causes progressive muscle spasms and stiffness. According to the Stiffness Research Foundation, people diagnosed with this disorder may be disabled, bedridden, or unable to care for themselves.
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As for Dion, 54, she says the muscle spasms she suffers from “affect every aspect of my daily life.”
She continued, tearfully telling fans that the disorder “sometimes makes it difficult for me to walk and doesn’t allow me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I used to.” .
“I’ve been dealing with my health issues for a long time and it’s been difficult for me to face these challenges and talk about everything I’ve been through,” she said.
Dion deeply regrets that her diagnosis will keep her from kicking off the European leg of her tour in February. Her 2023 tour has been rescheduled for the following year. Eight of Dion’s 2023 shows, from May 31 to July 17, have been canceled altogether.
Still My heart will continue The singer reassured fans that she, the doctors and family are doing everything in their power to help her condition improve.
The five-time Grammy winner hopes she’ll sing again.
“All I know is singing,” she said. “That’s what I’ve been doing all my life. And that’s what I like to do the most.”
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François Legault, the premier of Québec, sympathized with Dion’s diagnosis on Thursday morning. While en route to a parliamentary question-and-answer session, Legault told reporters he hoped Dion “will get well as soon as possible.”
“We are very proud of her. And she came from Charlemagne on my trip. So it’s very important,” said Legault.
At Queen’s Park in Toronto, a children’s choir paid tribute to Dion and performed My heart will continue.
Dion says she is working with a sports medicine therapist every day to strengthen her strength and get her in shape.
“I miss you so much. I miss meeting you all,” Dion told fans. there right now.”
Earlier this year, Dion postponed his world tour due to “severe and persistent muscle spasms”.
Information about Dion’s tour and rescheduling can be found on her website.
The National Center for the Advancement of Translational Science has reported that there are less than 5,000 known cases of stiff body syndrome in the United States. Symptoms of this disorder can begin at any point in a patient’s life, although it is most often noticed in adulthood.
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