Céline Dion opens up about her decision to publicly share stiff-person syndrome diagnosis
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Mental Health, Music
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@TODAYshow
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Mental Health, Music
Céline Dion has opened up about why she decided to go public with her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome.
In 2022, the 'My Heart Will Go On' singer revealed she'd been diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune neurological disease called stiff-person syndrome (SPS) in an emotional video posted to Instagram.
Since divulging the news, the 56-year-old has continued to speak out about the condition and her journey with it, now opening up about why she went public with her diagnosis in the first place.
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In her post to Instagram two years ago, Dion said she'd 'been dealing with problems with [her] health for a long time' and it had been 'really difficult' for her to 'face [her] challenges and to talk about everything that [she'd] been going through'.
She then revealed she'd been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome - a condition which affects one in a million people and causes muscle stiffness and spasms which can worsen over time.
And the singer's since opened up about why it was so important to her to tell the world about her diagnosis.
In an interview appearance on NBC's TODAY show, Dion explained that she 'could not' hide the truth 'anymore'.
She continued: "What do you want me to say? I have what? We did not know what was going on. I should've stopped and taken the time to figure out and taken the time like it's not enough.
"My husband as well, was fighting for his own life. I had to raise my kids, I had to hide, I had to try and be a hero, feeling my body leaving me, holding onto my own dreams.
"And lying, for me, the burden was too much. Lying to people who got me where I am today - I could not do it anymore."
The interview follows after the singer took to her Instagram again earlier this year in March for SPS Awareness Day.
She wrote: "Today the world recognizes International SPS Awareness Day.
"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."
She continued: "I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!
"I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world that have been affected by SPS. I want you to know you can do it! We can do it!"
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.