Celine Dion’s sister reveals she is ‘strong’ and ‘going to get through this’ in latest health update

Claudette Dion, the sister of iconic Canadian singer Celine Dion, has revealed that her sister is remaining “strong” and is “going to get through this” as she continues her battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).

Celine, renowned for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, has been battling Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), the debilitating illness posing significant challenges for the singer, making it difficult to perform and forcing her to postpone several of her shows in the past.

While Celine has remained largely out of the spotlight following her diagnosis, Claudette has kept her sister’s adoring fanbase up to date with her progress. Most recently she spoke with showbizz.net to provide an update on her sister’s progress and ongoing treatment.

“I know she went to Denver a couple of times because there are great researchers there and I’m crossing my fingers. That’s all we can do. Tell her how much we love her and that we wish her all the best,” she said.

Claudette added that Celine and her family deeply appreciate the well-wishes pouring in from her fans.

“We have had some beautiful messages of love and we try as hard as possible for her to receive them,” she said.

“Because I know that morally, mentally, she’s strong. She’s not depressed at all, quite the opposite, she’s full of the joys of life.”

Fans will be happy to hear that the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker is staying positive in the face of her diagnosis, Claudette revealing that her sister remains determined that she is “going to get through this” to one day “come back” to the stage.

Celine shocked fans when in December 2022 she took to social media to reveal her diagnosis of SPS, a condition that was significantly impacting every facet of her daily life. She shared that the disorder occasionally led to walking difficulties and hindered her ability to use her vocal cords.

 

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Stiff person syndrome, as explained by the National Organisation for Rare Disorders (NORD), is a rare neurological disorder marked by gradual muscle stiffness and recurring episodes of painful muscle spasms. These spasms can manifest sporadically or be triggered by various factors, such as sudden noise or light physical contact.

Navigating her SPS diagnosis continues to be a learning process for the 55-year-old artist. Throughout this journey, her three sons—René-Charles Angélil and twins Eddy Angélil and Nelson Angélil—whom she shares with her late husband René Angélil, have been a pillar of strength, supporting her amid the challenges to her health.

Despite the heart-wrenching diagnosis, Celine remains resolute in maintaining a positive outlook.

“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 previously reassured fans.

While a cure for SPS has yet to be discovered, the National Institute for Neurological Disorders outlines that treatments and medications exist to slow down its progression, offering a glimmer of hope to those affected by this rare condition.