Céline Dion Treats Her 3 Sons As Her ‘Light’ Amid Her ‘Heartbreaking’ Battle With Stiff Person Syndrome

Jun 08, 2023 by apost team

Céline Dion is a pinnacle name when it comes to the music industry. Her unique vocal tone and impressive singing abilities catapulted her into a lifetime of fame and success, with a career spanning four decades. Dion’s musical style has grown over the years while still staying pretty consistent with the genres of pop, soft rock and chanson, French songs that are lyrically driven. 

Dion’s discography has shown the trials and tribulations of relationships, from the most beautiful love stories to the hardest moments of heartbreak. Facing some hardships herself, Dion has been able to immerse herself into her work and showcase genuineness through the lyrics and melodies. She had opened up to the public about her fertility challenges and was later blessed with three sons with her husband, Rene Angélil. 

However, the entertainer faced one of the most devastating heartaches she ever had to deal with when Angélil, who had been married for 22 years, died in 2016. 

The heartbreak Dion had to face when she lost her husband is something the singer has been struggling with since. Being in the spotlight for such a long period of time is sure to be taxing on anyone, especially someone who is already facing such hardship. 

On Dec. 8, 2022, Dion shared the news that she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called stiff-person syndrome. Since then, she has canceled her “Courage” World Tour had her fans all around the world expressing their worry. Since then, Dion has been resting and recovering from her illness. Despite this, she is clinging to her children for strength, as a source revealed to People Magazine. Read on to learn more about Dion’s condition and what she has been doing to overcome the heartbreaking diagnosis she is currently facing. 

On Dec. 8, 2022, Dion went to Instagram to emotionally announce that she was rescheduling a tour, canceling several of its shows, due to a heartbreaking health diagnosis. 

“Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people. While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” the 54-year-old singer explained.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explained that people with SPS are often “too disabled to walk or move,” and loud sounds can “trigger spasms and falls.” The disorder affects twice as many women as men. The institute stated that scientists are still unsure what causes SPS, but “research indicates that it is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.” According to Yale Medicine, there is no cure for SPS. 

Despite the overwhelming information, Dion has not faltered in optimism and hope for the future. 

“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope. I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle,” she assured her fans. “All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.”

On May 26, 2023, Dion eventually canceled all remaining tours and concerts she had planned for 2023 and 2024 after initially rescheduling them. This caused more fans of hers and even other celebrities to become sad and more worried about her worrying health condition. 

apost.com

Despite all the saddening news, a source told People Magazine that Dion has not given up on herself yet, as she is “doing everything she can” to return back onstage. 

“It’s heartbreaking that she has had to cancel touring but she is suffering mobility and other issues from the disease disrupting her daily life," the insider explained. “She is doing everything she can while working with doctors because she wants to perform. She has not given up at all. She is hoping to get all of the issues with this disease under control so she can sing again."

Dion considers singing as her “life” and has expressed her longing for the audience and her fans. 

Another source told the publication that amid all the “heartbreaking” revelations about Dion and her health, the singer has been focusing on taking care of her children. “Her main focuses are always her sons and performing,” the source said.

Dion has three sons, Rene-Charles Dion Angélil, 22, born Jan. 25, 2001, and her 12-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson Angélil, born Oct. 23, 2010. 

“Céline just loves her boys so much. They are amazing. They give her all the support and love that she needs,” the source elaborated, even saying that Dion considers them as “her light right now.”

An independent source also confirmed to the publication that Dion has been “focusing on her health” and her recovery as she is adamant about continuing back on performing as she “couldn’t keep postponing shows,” as it “wasn’t fair to ther fans.”

In a Mother’s Day post on May 8, 2022, Dion posted a photo of herself and her three sons. In the caption, she honored mothers who were severely impacted by the war in Ukraine and mothers around the world who lost their children. 

Are you a fan of Céline Dion? What can you say about her health condition? Do you think she will recover soon? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Céline Dion fans out there!