Canadian pop singer Celine Dion has recently been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS)

Celine Dion, one of the leading pop singers from Canada, has recently been diagnosed with Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS).

A rare neurological and autoimmune disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS) is commonly known as Stiff-man syndrome. However, it affects twice as many women as men, as said by the US National Institutes of Health.

The disease exhibits thoracolumbar stiffness coupled with severe muscle rigidity and spasms, normally between the ages of 30 to 60. The condition is aggravated by a heightened sensitivity to excessive sound and light, which thus causes a higher degree of psychological and emotional distress together with functional disruption. If timely medication is not taken and the disease remains untreated for a considerable time, SPS can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to do daily activities and perform everyday tasks and can even lead to difficulty walking. The exact cause of the most crippling disease is still unknown.

Though Celine Dion has been suffering from the SPS-associated health problems “for a long time,” according to her 5-minute video which went viral on various social media outlets, she has recently been diagnosed with SPS. The rare neurological disorder is severely affecting her singing abilities, and she is now going to postpone a series of musical shows to be held next year in various European countries, says Dion.

“Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called Stiff-Person Syndrome which affects something like one in a million people,” the Canadian pop diva revealed.

Causing severe spasms, the symptoms of autoimmune disease “affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” she added.

“It hurts me to tell you today this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.”

Thanks to the constant support from her family, especially children, Dion says a team of dedicated doctors is working day and night to improve her debilitating condition. However, “I have to admit, it’s been a struggle,” says Celina Dion, who rose to global fame with such hit songs “My Heart Will Go On” and “The Power of Love.”

Dion says she is desperately missing the thrilling experience of being on the stage as well as her millions of fans and performing for them live.