Renowned Canadian singer, Celine Dion has declared that she will not let her struggle with stiff person syndrome prevent her from performing again.
Celine, 56, in an interview with American television personality, Hoda Kotb on the Today Show promised to resume live performances even if it meant crawling to the stage and using her hands to speak.
“I’m going to go back on stage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will,” she vowed in the interview which was aired on Tuesday, June 11.
The interview came out ahead of the release of her documentary I Am: Celine Dion, which is set for release June 25 on Amazon Prime.
“I am Celine Dion, because today my voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. It’s because I want to and I miss it,” said the Grammy-winning singer behind hits including My Heart Will Go On.
Celine Dion 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.
She revealed that she secretly battled Stiff Person Syndrome for 17 years before making it public.
The ailing singer confessed that she had been experiencing symptoms since 2008.
She recently stated that her Stiff Person Syndrome feels like she’s “being strangled.”
Dion added that she often suffers from cramps and has even broken some ribs.
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.
Asked about her ability to return to the stage, Dion told Vogue France she “can’t answer that” right now.
Celine Dion has sold more than 250 million albums during her decades-long career.
