- The singer, 56, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder in 2022.
- Now, he has spoken out about the agonizing symptoms of his illness for Hoy
- He detailed how it affects his ability to do what he loves most: acting.
Celine Dion has revealed that singing with stiff-person syndrome makes her feel like “someone is strangling her”, months after admitting she was “determined” to get back on stage and perform again.
The singer, 56, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune neurological disorder in 2022 and was forced to cancel all future tour dates as a result.
Now, he has spoken about the agonizing symptoms of his illness before the Today show, including how it affects his ability to do what he loves most: acting.
“It’s like someone is strangling you,” he told the publication, when asked what it’s like to try to sing with that condition. “It’s like someone is pushing on your larynx/pharynx.”
And it doesn’t just affect your throat, as he continued, ‘It can also be in the abdomen, it can be in the spine, it can be in the ribs.
Celine Dion has revealed that singing with stiff person syndrome makes her feel like “someone is strangling her”
The singer, 56, opened up about the agonizing symptoms of her illness on the Today show, including how it affects her ability to do what she loves most: acting.
‘If I point my feet, they will stay (stuck in that position), or if I cook – because I love to cook – my fingers, my hands, will get into a position.
“My feet are like cramps, but it’s like they’re in one position and you can’t unlock them.”
Celine even revealed that the condition caused her to have “broken ribs.”
“At one point I broke ribs because sometimes when it’s really bad, you can break some ribs too,” he shared.
In March, Celine said she still had hopes of returning to the stage in an Instagram post in honor of International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day.
“Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day return to the stage and live as normal a life as possible,” she wrote.
‘I am deeply grateful for the love and support of my children, my family, my team and all of you.
‘I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world who have been affected by MSF. I want you to know that you can do it. We can do it.’
A month later, she told him Vogue France who is still not sure what the future holds for her when it comes to acting.
“I can’t answer that… Because for four years I’ve been telling myself that I’m not going to go back, that I’m ready, that I’m not ready,” she explained.
‘As it is, I can’t sit here and tell you, “Yes, in four months.”‘
He also revealed that he is undergoing therapy five days a week to combat the symptoms.