Claudette Dion has reported that her sister Celine Dion's health condition, Stiff-Person Syndrome, is regrettably progressing
In an article published by the Canadian website 7Jours on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, Claudette said that the Grammy award winner is now encountering difficulties in controlling certain body movements.
Read: Celine Dion cancels 2023 concert tour; struggling with Stiff Person Syndrome
Translated from French to English, her statement read, "She doesn't have control over her muscles.
"What breaks my heart is that she's always been disciplined. She's always worked hard. Our mother always told her, 'You're going to do it well, you're going to do it properly.'
"It's true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don't know."
The family's biggest worry is that the rare illness may also impact Celine's vocal cords and heart—both of which are muscles.
And unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done because this autoimmune movement disorder, according to National Library of Medicine's website, is "incompletely understood."
Claudette continued, "That’s what’s coming to get me. Since it's one in millions, scientists didn't do that much research, because it didn't affect that many people."
In December 2022, Céline sadly revealed the diagnosis in an Instagram post, mentioning that she and her teams of doctors and specialist s have been actively helping her keep the symptoms under control.
On May 27, 2023, Celine announced the cancellation of her Courage World Tour concert due to the rare neurological disorder causing painful muscle spasms and stiffness.
Part of her post read, "I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100%.
"It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to be back on stage again."
In August 2023, Claudette told Le Journal de Montreal that Celine has been residing with their sister Linda in the Las Vegas area, where she is receiving care from doctors specializing in Stiff Person Syndrome.
On October 30, 2023, she attended a hockey game with her 22-year-old son René-Charles and her 13-year-old twins, Nelson and Eddy.
Her husband René Angélil died in 2016.
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