Celine Dion’s sister, Claudette Dion, has revealed that the Grammy Award-winning singer continues to face challenges in her battle with a rare neurological disorder known as stiff person syndrome. In a recent interview with Quebec news outlet 7 Jours, Claudette expressed her sister’s determination to overcome the illness, emphasizing the difficulty Celine faces due to a lack of muscle control.
Claudette explained, “She is working hard, but she does not have control of her muscles.” The disorder, affecting approximately one in a million people, remains poorly understood by current medical science. The elder Dion sister highlighted the impact on vocal cords and the heart, both muscles critical to Celine’s profession.
Celine Dion announced her diagnosis in December of the previous year, leading to the postponement and eventual cancellation of tour dates for her “Courage” world tour. The disorder, causing muscle rigidity and painful spasms, can pose a risk of injury and impact breathing if thoracic muscles are affected.
Despite the challenges, Celine Dion remains resilient, expressing determination in May, stating, “I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again.” Messages of support from fans continue to pour in through the Fondation Maman Dion, a charity supporting grade schoolchildren named after their mother.
Claudette shared, “People tell us they love her and they are praying for her. She is receiving so many messages, gifts, blessed crucifixes.” However, the uncertainty about Celine’s return to the stage remains, with Claudette expressing the family’s dream while acknowledging the unknown state in which it might happen.
In previous updates, Claudette mentioned the uncontrollable nature of the spasms and the limited support available to alleviate Celine’s pain. The family remains hopeful for advancements in research that could provide a remedy for this challenging illness.