Celine Dion emotionally vows to keep fighting amid ongoing health battle with stiff person syndrome
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Prime Video
Celine Dion emotionally vowed to keep fighting amid her ongoing health battle with stiff person syndrome.
Dion first spoke out about her diagnosis in a video posted to her Instagram account in December 2022.
In an emotional video, the singer said: "As you know I've always been an open book and I wasn't ready to say anything before but I'm ready now.
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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 my challenges and to talk about everything that I've been going through.
"Recently I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome which affects one in a million people."
Dion went on to explain how the condition was causing spasms which impact 'every aspect' of her daily life, including her ability to walk 'sometimes' and the use of her vocal cords.
She added: "For me to reach you again I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment 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."
Dion is detailing more surrounding her condition and how it impacts her life in the upcoming Prime Video documentary, I Am: Celine Dion.
In a newly released trailer for the doc, Dion can be seen recording her 2022 message to fans.
As the trailer cuts to scenes of countless medication bottles, Dion says: "It's not hard to do a show, you know? It's hard to cancel a show."
Before emotionally adding: "I'm working hard every day. But I have to admit, it's been a struggle.
"I miss it so much; the people, I miss them. If I can't run, I'll walk. If I can't walk, I'll crawl. I won't stop."
A rare public appearance at the Grammys earlier this year was a welcome sight for fans.
The 'My Heart Will Go On' singer received an enormous round of applause as she took to the stage in Los Angeles.
She told the audience: "Thank you, all! I love you right back. You look beautiful. When I say I'm happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.
"Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take for granted the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world.
"And now it gives me great joy to present a Grammy Award that two legends Diana Ross and Sting presented to me 27 years ago. These are the outstanding nominees for album of the year."
Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder, with symptoms including stiffness and spasms in the muscles of the lower back, legs and even abdomen.