Celine Dion celebrates first birthday after being diagnosed with incurable neurological disease
Anish Vij
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@celinedion/ZUMA Press Inc/Alamy Stock Photo
Celine Dion will celebrate her first birthday after being diagnosed with an incurable neurological disease.
The Canadian singer who turns 55 today (30 March) revealed in December that she has rare neurological condition 'stiff person syndrome'.
You can listen to her explain what that means below:
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SPS is a progressive syndrome that affects the nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms include extreme muscle stiffness, rigidity and painful muscle spasms, according to the Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center.
As a result, she's been forced to cancel and reschedule dates for her European tour, which was due to start in February.
Her Courage World Tour shows at The O2 in London, AO Arena Manchester, Utilita Arena Birmingham and OVO Hydro in Scotland were moved from 2023 to April 2024.
At the time, the 'Think Twice' singer told her 5.6 million followers: "Recently I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome which affects one in a million people.
"While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what's been causing all the spasms I've been having.
"Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to.
"It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.
"I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me help.
"I'm working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.
"All I know is singing is what I've done all my life and it's what I love to do the most."
Dion also told her fans: "I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you being on the stage performing for you.
"I always give 100 percent when I do my show but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.
"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.
"I want to thank you so much for your wishes and love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.
"Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon."