This post has been updated since its original publication date to include new info about Celine Dion’s health battle
Celine Dion is reportedly trying to stay positive amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, the rare neurological disorder which the 55-year-old “That’s The Way It Is” singer told fans she had been diagnosed with back in December 2022.
Claudette Dion, 75, has been updating fans about her younger sister’s battle with Stiff Person Syndrome for the past year, and recently explained that the singer “doesn’t have control of her muscles” anymore. She previously revealed that she has spasms that are “impossible to control.”
Celine Dion Is Being 'Extremely Positive' And Has A 'Glass Half-Full Attitude'
However, an insider revealed this month that Celine isn't letting the disease affect her, and is still "holding out hope" that she will recover enough to return to the stage in the not-so-distant future. "Despite all the challenges she's facing, Celine has a glass half-full attitude. She's always managed to remain optimistic during the toughest of times," an insider recently told Life & Style.
Perhaps one of the reasons for Celine's positive attitude is related to the love and support she has around her. The source explained "everyone's rallying round Celine," and her children "are front and center, helping with whatever she needs and spending time with her to keep her spirits up."
"Some days are harder than others, but Celine's being extremely positive," the source added, before going on to reference the steps she is taking to try and improve her health, including being in constant contact with her doctors and having physical therapy sessions. They added: "Celine isn't sitting around moping, that will never be her style. She's holding out hope that she'll recover and even perform again. Her resilience is remarkable."
Celine Dion's Sister Says She 'Doesn't Have Control Of Her Muscles Anymore'
Claudette Dion told French publication 7Jours in an article published on December 12th that the Grammy-winning singer "doesn't have control of her muscles" anymore. Claudette, who is also a singer, said: "There are some who have lost hope because it is a disease that is not known. What pains me is that she has always been disciplined. She's always worked hard. Our mother always told her, 'You're going to do it well, you're going to do it properly.'"
Claudette also went on to say that while Celine's family and loyal army of fans long to see her perform again, the progression of the neurological disorder has left them uncertain whether she will ever return to the stage. "It's true that, in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don't know," she explained to the pub. "The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because [Celine's condition is a] one out of a million case, the scientists haven't done that much research because it didn't affect that many people."
Celine Dion Reportedly Has 'Spasms' That Are 'Impossible To Control'
Speaking to Hello! Canada on Thursday, August 31st, Claudette reiterated that Stiff Person Syndrome is still "an illness we know so little about," saying, "There are spasms," which she told the pub were "impossible to control."
She went on to say that she and the rest of Celine's family tend to feel somewhat helpless, as "there's little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain." However, despite Celine's ongoing pain, Claudette said her sister is "doing everything to recover," and called her a "strong woman."
Celine Dion's Sister Says The Singer's Voice Is As Beautiful As Ever
Claudette gave Celine's fans a little more positive news earlier this year, telling 7Jours that, contrary to her sister's previous comments, Celine's singing voice is as beautiful as ever! Although Celine previously told fans that the condition had affected her voice somewhat and said, "I cannot use my vocal cords to sing the way I am used to," Claudette reassured her sister's fans that her voice is "the same," which made her so "happy" and "reassured."
Speaking to 7Jours, in August 2023, Claudette said: "Those who claim my sister's voice has disappeared are wrong. She has sung me several notes over the phone and her voice is still the same. I was so happy and reassured to hear it." She added: "We're sending our little sister all our love, and she is confident, just like I am, that she is capable of overcoming this ordeal."
Claudette Dion Says 'Having Hope Is Important'
Claudette previously told Le Journal de Montreal that their sister Linda, 64, has now moved into the singer’s Las Vegas mansion – where she lives with her three sons René-Charles, 22, and 13-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy – in order to help care for her. And although she heartbreakingly confessed that her sister is currently struggling to find any medications that are working for her, Claudette said that the “Power of Love” singer is still persevering with her recovery and has not lost hope.
"We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important," Claudette confessed. "When I call her and she's busy, I speak to my sister Linda who lives with her and tells me that she's working hard. She's listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible," she added, before going on to say that the Grammy-winner could perhaps be trying to do too much.
"I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest," Claudette continued. "She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game. At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It's important to listen to it."
Claudette Dion Previously Told Celine Dion's Fans That The Singer Is 'Fighting'
According to Journaldesfemmes.fr, Claudette updated Celine’s fans on the Quebec TV show, Bonsoir Bonsoir back in July, and said that her sister is "in a determined state of mind" despite the setbacks from the rare neurological disorder. Stiff Person Syndrome causes uncontrollable muscle spasms that can lead to other medical complications, with Celine previously telling fans it has even affected her ability to sing, as she said she "cannot use my vocal cords to sing the way I am used to."
At the end of May, the "Because You Loved Me" singer announced that she was forced to cancel all of the remaining dates on her Courage World Tour due to her struggles with the condition. She told fans that she was disappointed to let them down, but they had nothing but support for her in the comments section on Instagram, and said that they just wanted her to focus on her health.
Talking about her sister's determination to fight the condition, Claudette told Bonsoir Bonsoir host Jean-Philippe Wauthier: "I know she’s working hard." She went on to say, "We’re all crossing our fingers, and I’m glad people are concerned." Wauthier chimed in and said, "The whole world is concerned," to which Claudette replied, "She is working hard, and we are confident that we will succeed. It can’t be a story like this."
Insider Previously Said Celine Dion Can 'Barely Move'
An insider told RadarOnline back in May that the musician is having difficulty walking and "experiences periods of intense pain that come out of nowhere." A source also told the pub that the Canadian superstar "has the best medical team money can buy, but things aren’t looking good." "Her disease is incurable," the source added. "And as hard as she’s worked at it with doctors and therapists, she simply isn’t getting better. To be honest, she can barely move."
