Céline Dion took to Instagram in a heartfelt video to share a personal update about her well-being, revealing that her health concerns will regrettably lead to the cancellation and rescheduling of several upcoming concert dates.
On Thursday morning, Céline Dion made a poignant revelation, disclosing her recent diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome, an uncommon and incurable neurological disorder known to induce severe muscle spasms with debilitating effects.
Through a heartfelt video shared on her Instagram account, delivered in both English and French with tears in her eyes, the Canadian songstress expressed that her current state would regrettably compel her to reschedule and cancel a string of forthcoming concert performances.
"I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I've been going through," Dion, 54, wrote in the posts caption. "It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February."
"Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people," she said in her video. "While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know that this is what has been causing all of the spasms that I've been having."
As stated by the Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation, this condition primarily impacts the central nervous system, specifically targeting the brain and spinal cord. "Patients can be disabled, wheelchair bound or bed-ridden, unable to work and care for themselves," they say, adding that the neurological disease with autoimmune features can have symptoms like "hyper-rigidity, debilitating pain, chronic anxiety," and muscle spasms "so violent they can dislocate joints and even break bones."
"Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life," Dion continued. "Sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to."
Dion, who is a mother to three sons named René-Charles (21) and twins Nelson and Eddy (11) with her late husband René Angélil, further mentioned in her statement that she has "a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better."
"And my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope," she said.
Due to her condition, Dion's Spring 2023 concerts have been rescheduled for 2024, while unfortunately, eight of her summer 2023 shows, initially slated from May 31 to July 17, 2023, have been completely canceled.
Nevertheless, the resilient five-time Grammy winner expressed her unwavering determination to make a comeback and continue delighting audiences with her performances. "All I know is singing," she said. "It's what I've done all my life. And it's what I love to do the most."
"I'm working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again," Dion added. "But I have to admit, it's been a struggle."
As she poured her heart out, the renowned vocalist of "My Heart Will Go On" became even more overwhelmed with emotion, conveying her deep affection for her loyal fanbase. "I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you. Being on the stage. Performing for you. I always give 100 percent when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now."
"For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment," she said of the difficult situation. "And I have hope that I'm on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I'm doing everything I can to recuperate. I want to thank you so much for your encouraging wishes of love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me."
"Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon," she concluded, in tears. "Thank you."
Initially, Dion's tour was initially postponed due to the pandemic and subsequently delayed once more in January, attributed to her health concerns associated with the mentioned condition. In April, the singer informed her fans that the anticipated 2022 tour would be rescheduled to take place in 2023 instead.
"I'm doing my very best to get back to the level that I need to be so that I can give 100% at my shows because that's what you deserve," she announced via video post in April.
For detailed information regarding her rescheduled European tour dates, interested individuals can visit her official website.
