Canadian singer Celine Dion has spoken out about her experiences living with stiff person syndrome. The condition, which causes muscle stiffness and spasms, has led to Dion breaking her ribs in severe cases. Dion shared her story in her first television interview on the subject with NBC News.
During the interview, Dion explained that the spasms caused by the syndrome can feel like someone is strangling you. She added that the symptoms can also occur in the abdominal area, spine, ribs, and hands, where they cause cramping so severe the hands can’t be unlocked.
Dion announced her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome in December 2022. She released a video statement alongside the announcement, in which she tearfully explained how the condition had affected her life. She missed it so much, she said, referencing her career as a performer.
Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological condition. It affects the brain and spinal cord, causing posture problems and painful spasms. For Dion, the spasms make it difficult to walk and affect her ability to sing. Although she finds it challenging to cope with the symptoms, Dion remains determined to overcome the disorder and live as normal a life as possible. A documentary about her life, titled I Am: Celine Dion, is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video on June 25
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