«I’m fine, but there’s a lot of work to do. I didn’t beat the diseaseis still with me and always will be. I hope for a miraclethat a cure can be found with scientific research, but for the moment I have to learn to live with it. So this is me, I’m a woman with rigid person syndrome.” Celine Dionwho for years has suffered from a rare neurological pathology whose symptoms include spasms, muscle pain and cramps that cause stiffness and falls, interviewed by Vogue France who dedicated the May cover to her spoke at length about her illness: «At first I asked myself: why me? Why did this happen? It’s my fault? Life doesn’t give you any answers… I have to learn to live with the illness and stop asking questions. The way I see it, I have two choices: either I train like an athlete and work hard, or I shut down and it’s all over». Céline chose not to give up: «For five days a week I undergo athletic, physical and vocal therapy. I work on the tips of my feet, on my knees, on my calves, on my fingers, on my knees, on singing, on my voice…”.
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After being affected by stiff person syndrome, whose symptoms include spasms, muscle pain and cramps that cause stiffness and falls, the singer was forced to cancel all concerts and for three and a half years she disappeared from the scene. Until November 2023 she returned to public to watch an ice hockey match with her three children: René-Charles, 22, and twins Eddy and Nelson, 13, with Charles Angélil. Last February, then, she made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy awards ceremony. The moved audience welcomed her with a very long standing ovation.
Dion, despite fighting against a very rare disease that does not have a unique treatment protocol («we can’t find any medicine that works»), he never lost hope. So much so that her sister Caudette said in December 2023: «Cèline he wants to sing again. Psychologically he is strong, she is not depressed and has not lost her love for life.” We also have proof of this through the statements made to Vogue France: «I stay at home, listen to my songs, stand in front of the mirror and sing to myself. I decided to work with my whole body and soul, from head to toe… I want to be the best I can be. My goal is to go back to see the Eiffel Tower». What gives her courage are the love of her family and her children, the affection of her fans and her team: «I have this strength in me, I know that nothing will stop me». As for returning to the stage, however, she doesn’t say too much: «At the moment I can’t answer, because for four years I said to myself: I won’t return, then I’m ready, then I’m not ready… My body will tell me».
