Singer Celine Dion revealed she will be rescheduling her tour after being diagnosed with an incurable neurological disorder.
On Dec.8, Dion posted a video to her Instagram sharing the news with her fans.
“As you know, I’ve always been an open book. And 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,” she said.
Dion conveyed it’s been really difficult for her to face these challenges and talk about everything she’s been going through.
She shared:
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), which affects something like one in a million people. While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms I’ve been having. Unfortunately these spasms effect 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.”
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is a disorder that affects the nervous system “specifically the brain and spinal cord,” per Rare Diseases.
Dion tearfully admitted she won’t be ready to restart her tour in Europe come February.
‼️ Celine Dion reschedules Spring 2023 shows to 2024, and cancels 8 of her summer 2023 shows. ‼️
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) December 8, 2022
"It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.” – Céline
Watch Celine’s message here 👉🏼https://t.co/7el0cJVM4I pic.twitter.com/C9I8NEL5bs
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope,” she added.
Dion also shared she is doing her best to be able to perform and sing again.
“I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again. But I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life,” she said.
Dion added singing is what she loves to do “the most.”
Dion expressed how she misses her fans and performing for them, adding she “always [gives] 100 percent when I do my shows.”
However, she added: “But my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now. For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment.”
Despite her diagnosis, Dion is hopeful she is on the “road to recovery” and this is her “focus.”
“And I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate,” she said. “I want to thank you so much for your encouraging wishes of love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.”
She concluded her statement telling her fans she hopes she can see them again “real soon.”
“Take care of yourselves – be well. I love you guys so much. And I really hope I can see you again, real soon. Thank you,” she shared.