Celine Dion's Sister Says Singer 'Can't Find Any Medicine That Works' For Stiff Person Syndrome

Just under a month after Celine Dion’s sister, Claudette, revealed that the singer was “working hard” to fight her rare neurological condition, Stiff Person Syndrome, Claudette has issued another health update to French-language Canadian newspaper, Le Journal de Montreal.

While Celine and her family have been consulting “the top researchers in the field”, the My Heart Will Go On singer is still struggling. “We can't find any medicine that works, but having hope is important,” Claudette told Le Journal de Montreal via SheMazing.

She added, “I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest. She always goes above and beyond [when performing], and she always tries to be the best and top of her game.

“At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It's important to listen to it.”

Celine Dion was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome in December 2022. This condition affects around 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 I’ve been having,” Dion said in a candid video statement to her fans.

She explained, “Unfortunately, these 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. It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.”

Claudette Dion appeared on the Quebec talk show Bonsoir bonsoir last month and revealed that her sister is enduring “a particularly heavy treatment, based on immunoglobulins to relieve muscle spasms”.

Claudette continued, “She is working hard, and we are confident that we will succeed. It can’t be a story like this.”

Stiff Person Syndrome is often associated with autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes, thyroiditis, vitiligo, and pernicious anaemia.

In May, Celine Dion announced the cancellation of all 2023 and 2024 dates on her Courage tour as she reckoned with her diagnosis. “I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again,” she said. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%.

“It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.”