Celine Dion’s three sons ‘have been her rock’ following her rare diagnosis

After having been recently diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), Canadian singer Celine Dion has been reminded that she is not alone in her battle.

Following the global pandemic, the adored artist has been forced to take a step back from the limelight and temporarily pause live shows as she continues to deal with “severe and persistent muscle spasms.”

However, as the 54-year-old continues to learn more about her SPS diagnosis, her three sons, who she shares with her late husband René Angélil, 21-year-old René-Charles Angélil and 12-year-old twins Eddy Angélil and Nelson Angélil have been her source of strength amid her health battle.

 

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“Her kids have been her rock … the twins are very mature for their age and René-Charles checks in and dotes on his mom all the time,” a source tells Us Weekly.

“Celine received this diagnosis fairly recently; she’s been suffering the symptoms for quite some time, but it always baffled her what was wrong.”

The source added that the singer is “an eternal optimist” and that while news of the diagnosis “came as a shock” she hasn’t lost her “fighting spirit and is comforted that at least she knows exactly what she’s dealing with now”.

“There’s comfort that she can alleviate some of the symptoms by getting treatments that are specific for this condition.”

The My Heart Will Go On singer shocked fans early in December after sharing on social media that she has been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder that affects her singing abilities, causing her to once again cancel her upcoming European tour.

 

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“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects something like one in a million people,” she said.

“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.”

She also explained that the intense muscle spasms were affecting “every aspect” of her daily life, explaining that “sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to”.

Despite her health struggles, the singer is determined to stay positive.

“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope. I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate,” she reassured fans.

Per the National Institute for Neurological Disorders, there is currently no cure for SPS, however, treatments and medications are available to help slow down the progression.