Celine Dion: Inside singer’s 17-year secret struggle with Stiff Person Syndome – and why she’s finally ‘happy again’
Celine Dion has detailed the extent of her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, revealing her symptoms began as early as 2008. The My Heart Will Go On singer, 56, announced her diagnosis to the world in 2022. Speaking to VOGUE France in May, the star admitted she has been dealing with side effects from the rare neurological disorder for the best part of two decades.
“It took me 17 years to understand what was going on. I beg of you, don’t wait that long!” she said
What is stiff person syndrome?
Stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder. Symptoms include muscle rigidity in the trunk and arms, often triggered by noise, touch, and emotional distress. Celine’s condition is characterized by muscle spasms.
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People with stiff person syndrome suffer from frequent falls because they lack defensive reflexes to save themselves. Sufferers are often unable to walk or move, and it’s twice as common in women than in men.
Celine’s secret health battle
First noticing something was awry in 2008 during her Taking Chances world tour, the Canadian superstar said her voice would tremble when she hit the high notes. “I was struggling to control it. I was able to go very high, but then my voice was wracked with kind of spasms. I did what one is meant to do in these days: I went to see a doctor,” she recalled.
