Céline Dion Offers a Rare Update on Her Battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome and Urges Fans to ‘Take It Easy’ in Thanksgiving Message
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The singer shared a Thanksgiving message expressing gratitude, highlighting the profound impact of spending time with loved ones.
Céline Dion is spreading a message of love and calm this Thanksgiving.
The 57-year-old singer, who was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022, reflected on the holiday in a social media post, describing it as a chance to “pause, breathe deeply, and express gratitude.”
She added, “There’s something incredibly meaningful about being with the people you care about, whether it’s around a full table, connecting over the phone, or simply holding them in your heart. I’m deeply grateful for my family and the moments we share that mean everything to me.”
Céline Dion has faced her share of personal loss.
In 2016, she lost her husband, René Angélil, to throat cancer at the age of 73. The couple shared a son, René-Charles, 24, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 15. Just two days after Angélil’s passing, Dion’s older brother, Daniel Dion, died at 59 from brain, throat, and tongue cancer.
In a 2019 interview with PEOPLE, Dion reflected on discovering a resilience she hadn’t realized she possessed after enduring such consecutive tragedies.
“Helping my children understand that ‘Dad isn’t coming back’ gave me strength,” she said about losing Angélil. “Both the little challenges and the big ones force you to become stronger. Otherwise, you don’t grasp life’s true meaning.”
She also shared that these experiences pushed her to navigate life independently for the first time.
“Throughout my life, I always had so much protection. Being the 14th child in a large family, I had a whole support system,” she said. “I never really thought about what I wanted for myself. Things just happened… and suddenly, I’m making all the decisions.” She added with determination, “I’m the boss now.”
In 2022, Dion faced another challenge when she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological condition that causes severe muscle spasms and has no cure. The illness has limited her ability to perform as much as she would like.
“These spasms impact nearly every part of my daily life,” she explained. “They sometimes make walking difficult and prevent me from using my voice the way I’m used to.”
Despite this, the five-time Grammy winner remains committed to returning to the stage. “Singing is all I know. It’s been my life, and it’s what I love most,” she said.
Closing her Thanksgiving message, Dion offered heartfelt wishes: “May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, peace, and gratitude for everything, even the smallest things. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.”