Legendary Canadian singer, Celine Dion, has been forced to reschedule and cancel dates for her European tour after being diagnosed with an incurable neurological condition.
On Thursday, 8 December, the sonorous singer posted a teary-eyed video on her Instagram page explaining that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which she says affects every aspect of her daily life.
The songstress said, “As you know, I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I am ready now. I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.”
The 54-year-old explained that she had “recently” been diagnosed with “a very rare neurological disorder called, Stiff Person Syndrome, which affects around one in a million people,” independent.co.uk reports.
Dion said, “While we are still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what has been causing all the spasms that I’ve been having.” The multiple award-winning songstress explained that the condition affects her ability to perform and sing, as well as to carry out normal activities.
“Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” she said, adding that it “hurt” her to announce that her tour would not be restarting in February.
The singer has cancelled eight of her summer shows scheduled for 2023 and rescheduled her Spring 2023 shows to 2024. However, Dion assured fans that she has a “great team of doctors” working hard to help her get better, but admitted it has been a “struggle”.
She said, “All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most. I miss you so much. I always give 100 per cent when I do my shows but my condition is not allowing me to give that to you right now.”
The singer explained that she is focusing on her health in order to be able to perform again and thanked her fans for their well wishes. “I love you guys so much and I really hope I can see you again real soon.”
Earlier this year, Celine was forced to cancel North American tour dates and dates on her Las Vegas residency due to health concerns. It transpires that these cancellations were also related to the condition.
