Entertainment
Jennifer Hudson and Katharine Foster lead outpouring of love after Celine Dion announces incurable stiff-person syndrome diagnosis-Rishma Dosani-Entertainment – Metro
‘You are talent personified.’
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Celine Dion has been showered with love from famous friends after revealing her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome.
The My Heart Will Go On singer, 54, was forced to postpone her upcoming tour shows due to health issues – announcing that she has moved or canceled her scheduled dates for 2023 to recover.
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune movement disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
After she confirmed the news on Instagram, a string of stars rushed to offer their support in the comments below.
Jennifer Hudson replied: ‘We love u! I pray your strength and healing in the lord. Amen [sic].’
Winnie Harlow agreed: ‘We love you. Your health is the most important above all! Praying for your recovery, happiness and renewed health.’
Celine Dion revealed her health issues on social media (Picture: Getty)
‘We absolutely love you! You are the reason I sing & the inspiration for so much,’ Katharine Foster penned. ‘The world will wait.
Jonathan Van Ness followed suit, simply replying: ‘We love you so so so much.’
As Donatella Versace added: ‘Celine, I am thinking of you and sending you all my love.
‘You are talent personified and, as you get better, your power and presence will be felt everywhere again. Wishing you the speediest recovery.’
Celine was supported by a string of famous faces on Instagram (Picture: GC Images)
Celine revealed the news of her condition on social media today, explaining that she had pushed a selection of 2023 performances to the following year, while also cancelling eight concerts.
The Think Twice musician was due to perform across Europe in March and April, with other shows due to continue until September.
In a video, she told fans: ‘Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome which affects something like one in a million people.
What is stiff-person syndrome?
Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune movement disorder that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).
SPS is characterised by fluctuating muscle rigidity in the trunk and limbs and a heightened sensitivity to stimuli such as noise, touch, and emotional distress, which can set off muscle spasms. Stiff-person syndrome is extremely rare.
Only about one out of every one million people have been diagnosed with this syndrome. Twice as many women have stiff person syndrome as men. Symptoms can occur at any age but usually develop between ages 30 and 60.
‘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.
‘Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.
‘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 help.’
There is no cure for stiff-person syndrome, which is said to turn people into ‘human statues’ as the body becomes more rigid.
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Discussing the postponement, she shared that she had been ‘working hard’ with a sports medicine therapist in a bid to build her strength, but said that ‘it’s been a struggle’.
‘For me to reach you again I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery,’ she added. ‘This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.
‘I want to thank you so much for your wishes and love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.’
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