Rare Disease Battling Celine Dion: "I Will Definitely Return to the Stage"

Awareness Day for Stiff Person Syndrome

Singer Celine Dion (55), who is suffering from a neurological disorder, shared a photo with her three sons and sent a message of encouragement to patients battling the same condition. Dion, originally from Canada, is a renowned singer known for performing the theme song "My Heart Will Go On" from the movie Titanic.

Celine Dion
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

In December 2022, Dion revealed that she has been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS). On the 15th (local time), she posted on Instagram, "Today is International SPS Awareness Day," adding, "Trying to overcome an autoimmune disease has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but my determination to return to the stage someday and live as normally as possible remains unchanged."

Dion continued, "I want to send encouragement and support to everyone around the world affected by SPS," emphasizing, "Please know that you can do it. We can do it." She also expressed her gratitude, saying, "I deeply thank my children, family, team, and all of you for your love and support."

The photo posted alongside the message shows her with her three sons: Ren?-Charles (23), and twins Nelson and Eddy (13). Dion had these sons with her late husband (and former manager) Ren? Ang?lil, who passed away in 2016.

Stiff-Person Syndrome, which occurs in about one in a million people, is a disease where muscle spasms are triggered by sounds, touch, or emotions.

Photo and caption posted by Celine Dion on Instagram