Céline Dion Diagnosed A With Rare Neurological Disease

Céline Dion announced on Thursday that she has the stiff-person syndrome, a rare and incurable neurological disorder that can cause debilitating muscle spasms.

The Canadian singer announced in an emotional video posted to her Instagram account in both English and French that her ailment would cause her to postpone and cancel a series of upcoming concert appearances.

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"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 caption of the post. "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 a 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."

According to the Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation, the disorder affects the central nervous system, notably the brain and spinal cord. "Patients can be disabled, wheelchair-bound or bed-ridden, unable to work and care for themselves."

They go on to mention that the neurological disease with autoimmune aspects might cause 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 had three kids with her late husband René Angélil, René-Charles, 21, and Nelson and Eddy, 11, added 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.

Dion's Spring 2023 gigs have been postponed for 2024 due to her health, while eight of her Summer 2023 shows — previously slated from May 31 to July 17, 2023 — have been canceled entirely.

However, the five-time Grammy winner stated that she is not giving up hope of performing again. "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."