Despite illness, Celine Dion still keen to get back onstage

AFP  :
Pop megastar Celine Dion, who is suffering from a rare neurological disorder, said in
an Instagram post she looks forward
to her return to the stage.
Dion, 55, first disclosed in December 2022
that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes stiff muscles in
the torso, arms and legs, with noise or
emotional distress known to trigger spasms.
“Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences
of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal
of a life as possible,” Dion said in a post to mark International SPS Awareness Day.
“I want to send my encouragement and support to all those around the world that have been affected by SPS. I want you to know you can do it! We can do it!” added the Grammy-winning singer of such hits as ‘My Heart Will
Go On’ and “Because You Loved Me. I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!” she added in the post, accompanied by a photo of her smiling broadly and posing with her three sons.
There is no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome, which is progressive, but treatment can help control symptoms. According to the US National Institutes of Health, SPS affects twice as many women as men. In May last year, Dion was forced to cancel a string of shows scheduled
for 2023 and 2024, saying she was not strong enough to tour. The last time Dion was seen in public was at the Grammy Awards in February, when she made a surprise appearance to present the Album of the Year award to Taylor Swift.