Stiff-Person Syndrome
Celine Dion is powering through.
The “My Heart Will Go On” superstar looks gorgeous on the latest cover of Vogue France, rocking a white miniskirt with a matching oversized button-down shirt, left open with her chest covered by her hand. See the photo here.
In the caption, Dion shared her positive outlook amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome. “I’m honored to be doing a photo shoot for Vogue France. I’m very proud that, at 55, I’ve been asked to reveal my beauty,” Dion wrote. “But what is beauty? Beauty is you, it’s me, it’s what’s inside, it’s our dreams, it’s today. Today, I’m a woman who is feeling strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”
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Since December 2022, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer has remained largely out of the public eye due to her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder known for causing uncontrolled muscle spasms that make it hard to move. Dion was forced to postpone all of her 2023 tour dates, before ultimately canceling the rest of her tour entirely. Last December, her sister Claudette revealed that Celine had “no control” of her muscles.
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Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards in February, presenting the coveted album of the year tropy to Taylor Swift for Midnights. “Thank you all,” she said to the applauding crowd, showing no signs of weakness. “I love you right back. When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”
In March, the songstress spoke out on social media for International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day. “Today the world recognizes International SPS Awareness Day,” Dion wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her smiling with her three sons. “As many of you know, in the fall of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible. I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!”
Celine Dion is speaking out on International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day. The Grammy-winning singer, 55, took to social media on Friday (March 15) to share words of encouragement and show her appreciation to fans after being diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder in recent years. “Today the world recognizes International SPS Awareness Day,” Dion […]
Celine Dion revealed in an emotional video posted to Instagram on Thursday (Dec. 8) that she is battling a rare neurological disorder called “Stiff-Person Syndrome.”
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“As you know, I’ve always been an open book. And I wasn’t ready to say anything before,” said Dion in the solemn, brief clip. “But I’m ready now… ’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.”
Due to the severe muscle spasms that Dion says “affect every aspect of my daily life,” she will not be able to re-start her tour in Europe in February as planned. All of her spring 2023 dates will move to 2024 and 8 of her summer 2023 shows have been cancelled.
Following Dion’s announcement, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the lesser-known disorder.
What Is Stiff-Person Syndrome?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Stiff-Person Syndrome, or SPS, is a very rare neurological disorder that has features of an autoimmune disease. “SPS is characterized by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms,” per NINDS, which also notes that the disorder affects twice as many women as men and science does not yet understand what causes it. The disorder is also often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia or anxiety.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, SPS only affects one or two in a million people.
What Are the Symptoms of Stiff-Person Syndrome?
“Abnormal postures, often hunched over and stiffened, are characteristic of the disorder,” according to NINDS. Those with SPS can also be unable to walk or move or might be triggered into a spasm or fall due to loud noises.
Are There Treatments for Stiff-Person Syndrome?
The current treatment is a regimen of anti-convulsants and valium and intravenous treatments aimed at reducing stiffness and lowering sensitivity to touch, noise and stress. The preferred treatments can improve symptoms, but a cure is not yet known and sufferers are often subject to frequent falls because of a lack of the usual defensive reflexes.
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