Celine Dion's heartbreaking reason for waiting to share health diagnosis

18 June 2024 , 08:54

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Celine Dion has Stiff Person Syndrome (Image: NBC)

Celine Dion revealed she purposely chose to keep her Stiff Person Syndrome private for a candid reason.

The iconic songstress, 56, was diagnosed with the life-altering condition in 2022 and took a step away from the public eye as she came to terms with the revelation. The rare neurological disorder includes symptoms including muscle stiffness and spasms, which could worsen over time.

Now, she's admitted she was nervous to share her condition publicly in December 2022 as she cancelled her Courage World Tour and explained it was because she felt she was "not capable of being the best of me.

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Celine Dion is releasing a new documentary (WireImage)

The honest admission will air in a new interview tonight. Speaking to E! News at the premiere of the documentary, titled I AM: Celine Dion, the My Heart Will Go On star thanked her fans for their support and encouragement, insisting they have helped her enormously.

'Syndrome Celine Dion diagnosed with left me unable to put my socks on'

She added that she felt fans "deserved to know" about her condition. "It's not about choosing what you have, it's dealing with what's happening," Celine said. She went on to say she's hoping being open about her condition will raise awareness and show those who have it there are not alone.

"I hope that this will give them wings and strength to reach out and talk to people and say it's worth it," she said. "We're all worth it, and I'm just thankful."

Celine, who is mother to René-Charles, 23, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 13, explained she stayed quiet initially while doctors worked hard to determine what was wrong. Stiff Person Syndrome is said to have been diagnosed in fewer than 5,000 people in the US, with the condition often mistaken for Parkinson's disease.

Healthline reports the main warning sign of the condition is muscle stiffness and also includes limb stiffness, stiff muscles in the trunk, painful muscle spasms, difficulty walking, sensory issue and posture problems from rigid back muscles.

Some who suffer from the condition can also experience anxiety, hyperhidrosis (abnormal excessive sweating), and agoraphobia - a fear of public spaces.

Jamie Roberts