Celine Dion’s sister has provided an update on the singer’s health, revealing that she is still seeking therapy for stiff-person syndrome.
In December, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer revealed that she had been diagnosed with the rare neurological illness, which can induce muscle rigidity and spasms.
In a July interview with the Canadian journal Le Journal de Montréal, Dion’s sister, Claudette Dion, said that another sister, Linda, had moved into the singer’s home to help with her care.
“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 said.
“I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest. She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game,” she continued.
“At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something,” Claudette said of Dion’s choice to retire from performing. It is critical to pay attention to it.”
“It’s in her DNA; she’s disciplined in every aspect of her life.” “We haven’t found a cure yet, but having hope is important,” remarked the singer’s sister.
According to Claudette Dion, the “Love Again” singer is “listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible.”
A spokesperson for Dion did not reply quickly to a request for comment.
As Insider’s Marianne Guenot previously reported, there is no cure for stiff-person syndrome, but it can be managed using specific antibody injections, anti-anxiety drugs, and muscle relaxants. It is a disease that progresses over time, and if left unmanaged, can become debilitating.
The 55-year-old Grammy-winning artist shared her diagnosis in December 2022. In an emotional video posted to Instagram, she said: “I’ve always been an open book. I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now.”
“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time. It’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything I’ve been going through,” Dion said.
“Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which affects something one in a million people.”
In light of the diagnosis, the singer rescheduled several of her upcoming tour dates in 2023 and 2024. In May, she called off the tour for good.
