Celine Dion’s sister gave a heartbreaking update on the entertainer’s health status as she continues to battle stiff person syndrome.
The Canadian “My Heart Will Go On” singer was diagnosed with the extremely rare neurological disorder that causes the body to attack its nerve cells last December.
“She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined,” her older sister, Claudette, told French magazine 7 Jours, per Hello! “She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly.’ “
Dion, 55, was forced to cancel her Courage world tour due to her diagnosis, but Claudette, 75, teased a potential comeback.
“It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know,” Claudette said.
Stiff person syndrome is a progressive, incurable disorder that affects mobility. It’s usually diagnosed in people ages 30 to 50, according to Columbia University. It also causes painful muscle spasms.
Claudette continued, “The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because it’s one out of a million case, the scientists haven’t done that much research because it didn’t affect that many people.”
The Post has contacted Dion’s reps for comment.
Last month, Dion made her first public appearance in nearly four years at a hockey game in Las Vegas.
She told fans about her diagnosis in an emotional Instagram video last year.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having,” she explained. “As you know, I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before, but I’m ready now.”
Dion continued, “Unfortunately, these [muscle] spasms 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.”
Meanwhile, Claudette revealed that Dion has been receiving all kinds of well-wishes through their family charity, Fondation Maman Dion.
“Some people have lost hope because it’s all illness that isn’t well known. If only you knew the number of phone calls the foundation gets about Celine! People tell us they love her and they’re praying for her,” she told the outlet. “She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes.”
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