Celine Dion says concerts scheduled for fall WILL go ahead despite Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis

Singer Celine Dion has said that her concerts scheduled for the fall will continue despite her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome.

The events, scheduled for August 26 to October 4, will remain part of his upcoming Courage world tour, even after he had to reschedule his European leg to the following year and canceled eight of the summer shows.

The news raises hope that treatments she is undergoing to slow the progression of Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes a person’s muscles to tense uncontrollably, will help her control the incurable syndrome. .

It came when she shared a moving video on her Instagram that shows her belting out her 1997 hit about overcoming adversity, Miles To Go (Before I Sleep).

Affecting one in a million, Stiff Person Syndrome ultimately leaves patients looking like “human statues” as it progressively locks their bodies into rigid positions, leaving them unable to walk or speak.

The singer shared her diagnosis earlier Thursday in another video posted to her Instagram, in which she told her followers: “Hi everyone, sorry it took so long to get back to you.” I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.

As you know, I’ve always been an open book and wasn’t ready to say anything before, but now I’m ready.

I have been dealing with health issues for a long time and it has been very difficult for me to face my challenges and talk about everything I have been going through.

“I was recently diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which affects one in a million people.

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know that this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”

Detailing the impact the condition has had on her, Celine continued: “Unfortunately these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I I am used to”. .

It pains me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.

I have a great team of doctors who work by my side to help me get better and my precious children who support me and give me help.

I am working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to regain my strength and ability to perform again, but I have to admit it has been a struggle.

‘All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I like to do the most.

‘I miss you a lot. I miss seeing all of you on stage performing for you.

I always give 100 percent when I do my show, but my condition now allows me to give that to you right now.

‘To get back in touch with you, I have no choice but to focus on my health right now, and I am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery.

‘This is my focus, and I’m doing everything I can to recover.

I want to thank you very much for your wishes, love and support on my social networks. This means a lot to me.

‘Take care. Be fine. I love you very much and I really hope to see you again very soon.

Celine then updated fans on her tour dates while sharing a poster of the rescheduled and canceled concerts.

The mother-of-three first hinted at her health issues in January when she canceled the North American dates of her Courage World Tour from March 9 to April 22.

The announcement came three months after he had to cancel the start of his comeback residency in Las Vegas over the same health issue.

Celine has become known as the ‘Queen of Las Vegas’ due to her hugely successful residencies there.

After retiring from her famed Caesars Palace residency in 2019, she was convinced to return to Sin City to perform at the new Resorts World on the Strip.

A statement on her website says that Celine “has recently been treated for severe and persistent muscle spasms that prevent her from performing, and her recovery is taking longer than she expected.”

“His medical team continues to evaluate and treat the condition.”

Celine added: “I really hoped I’d be okay to go by now, but I guess I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen my doctors prescribe.”

‘There is a lot of organization and preparation in our shows, so we have to make decisions today that will affect the plans two months from now. I will be very happy to be fully healthy again, as well as for all of us to get through this pandemic, and I can’t wait to get back on stage again.”

“In the meantime, I have been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone has been sending me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means a lot to me.’

In 2019, Celine caused concern among her followers who accused her of being “too thin.”

The Canadian singer told Entertainment Tonight that she’s “always been very skinny,” adding: “Is there something wrong with my body?”

She continued: ‘When you go back, when I was 12, my face was rounder because you have more fat and you’re younger… But I’ve always been very skinny.’

The SPS diagnosis is the latest tragedy to befall Celine following the death of her husband René Angelil at age 73 in 2016.

Celine shares three children with her late husband: Rene-Charles, 21, and twin boys Nelson and Eddy, 12.

He met Rene in Canada when she was a 12-year-old aspiring singer and he was already 38. He became her manager.

His dedication to furthering his career reportedly led him to mortgage his home in order to finance his 1981 debut album, La Voix du bon Dieu.

René and Celine officially began dating in 1987, when she was just 19 and he was 45, and in 1991 they got engaged.

However, it was only in 1993 that she publicized their romance, slipping the announcement into the liner notes of her The Color Of My Love album.

In December 1994, they were married in Montreal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, which became the site of their eldest son Rene-Charles’s christening and Rene’s funeral.

Rene died at age 73 of a heart attack while suffering from terminal throat cancer in January 2016. Two days later, Celine lost her brother Daniel to throat cancer.

That August, Celine released a tribute album to him in French titled Encore un soir, with a single of the same name being a hit in French-speaking markets.

Fans were left “heartbroken” by the news and took to social media to express their support and condolences.

One person tweeted: ‘I just knew it was serious. Céline, you are my hero. One in a billion. Of course, it had to be something very rare to bring you down. But you have this!

Another wrote: ‘Praying for @celinedion’s health and recovery this morning. Celine has been a huge inspiration to me over the years – today I am sending her all my love x’.

Someone else echoed: ‘My heart aches for celine dion! That lady has done so much for her fans and to see her in so much pain is just heartbreaking! a beautiful soul like hers does not deserve this #prayersforcelinedion’.

And a fourth agreed, writing: ‘Heartbroken and in tears at the news of @celinedion. I adore you. You were my first concert right after Titanic came out. I will never forget you singing, my heart will continue in a titanic ship model. I am praying for you in the deepest way possible. Love you’.