Celine Dion's sister opens up about singer's health battle with incurable Stiff Person Syndrome: 'She's doing everything to recover'

Virgin Radio

31 Aug 2023, 16:42

Celine Dion's sister has revealed how the singer is coping as she fights against the incurable neurological condition Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). The determined singer is 'doing everything she can' but the spasms are 'impossible to control'.

Sister Claudette, 74, told Hello! Canada: 'She's doing everything to recover. She's a strong woman.

'It's an illness we know so little about. There are spasms – they're impossible to control. There's little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain.

'We're crossing our fingers that researchers will find a remedy for this awful illness.'

The incurable neurological condition affects just one in every million people and leaves sufferers as 'human statues', unable to walk or talk.

Mother-of-three Celine, 55, was forced to cancel her world tour in May after announcing her diagnosis in December 2022.

Celine announced the sad news on social media and wrote: 'It is with tremendous disappointment that we have to announce today the cancellation of the Courage World Tour.

'I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100%.'

Celine continued: 'It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to be back on stage again.

'I want you all to know, I'm not giving up… and I can't wait to see you again!'

The statement added: 'We do have every hope that someday soon, Celine will be able to come to all of these cities in Europe to perform for her amazing fans, but that time simply is not now.'

According to US Weekly, the diagnosis 'came as a shock'. The source said: 'There's comfort that she can alleviate some of the symptoms by getting treatments that are specific for this condition.'