NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 08: Celine Dion seen on the streets of Lower Manhattan on March 8, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
Claudette is updating fans on how her sister Celine Dion is going in her ongoing battle with stiff-person syndrome.
This comes after the artist took a step back from performing last year to manage her health. Now, per Claudette, the neurological disorder has caused Celine Dion, age 55, to lose control of her muscles.
“She works hard, but she has no control over her muscles. What makes me sad is she was also so disciplined,” Claudette reportedly told French publication 7 Jours.
As mentioned, Dion let fans in on her health struggles in December 2022 via social media. In a short clip, she revealed that doctors diagnosed her with stiff-person syndrome after trying to pinpoint the cause of her spasms. Dion added that it was “really difficult” for her to “talk about everything” she had been experiencing.
At the time, she was already having trouble walking and using her vocal cords like she used to. However, she reassured fans that she had a “great team” of medical specialists and the support of her three children, René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy.
Watch her full announcement below.
The effects of the rare disorder forced Celine Dion to cancel all of her 2023 shows. In her Dec. 2022 announcement, she mentioned they’d be rescheduled to 2024. However, by May 2023, Dion had canceled the remainder of her world tour. Now, it’s unclear if she’ll ever touch a mic again.
“Vocal cords are muscles, but so is the heart. That’s what gets to me. Because it’s one in a million case, scientists don’t have much research on the topic because it didn’t affect that many people,” Claudette reportedly said.
There’s no cure for stiff-person syndrome, it is only managed with medications such as muscle relaxers. In addition to stiff muscles that can lead to falls and related injuries, people diagnosed with the disorder also experience greater sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress. The symptoms can appear between ages 30 and 60, per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Despite this nightmare for their family, Claudette added that Celine Dion has received an output of love and support since the reveal.
“If you only knew how many calls we receive at the [Foundation Maman Dion for disadvantaged kids] to hear from Céline,” Claudette said. “People tell us they love her and pray for her. She gets so many messages, gifts, blessed crucifixes.”
