Celine Dion has opened up about the severe difficulties she faces due to her battle with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.
In an interview with NBC’s Hoda Kotb, the iconic singer described the painful and restrictive nature of the condition.
Dion explained that attempting to sing feels “like somebody is strangling you,” demonstrating how it feels by pressing on her throat.
The spasms caused by the syndrome can affect various parts of her body, including her abdomen, spine, and ribs. “I have broken ribs at one point because sometimes when it’s very severe, it can break some ribs as well,” she shared.
Stiff person syndrome is a rare, progressive disorder impacting the nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Dion’s condition led to the cancellation of her “Courage World Tour” last year, with sources indicating she may never tour again.
Doctors have identified a specific factor in Dion’s blood that helps explain her condition, and she is currently under medical care to improve her quality of life. This journey is also the subject of an upcoming documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” which will stream on Prime Video on June 25.
