Celine Dion hopes to one day perform in front of her fans despite her battle with a rare autoimmune disease.
The singer revealed last year that she was suffering from stiff-person syndrome, which forced her to cancel her European tour.
It comes after health updates that the singer no longer has control over her muscles. She was also recently spotted attending a hockey game in Las Vegas.
‘Celine Dion Is A Fighter’
Celine Dion hasn’t given up on returning to the stage one day despite her continued struggle with stiff-person syndrome.
“Céline is a fighter. She doesn’t have as much control over her muscles as she did before, but she’s working with doctors and physical therapists to get better,” a source told Us Weekly.
Regarding the timeline of her return, the insider revealed that it would happen when Dion is “given the go-ahead by her medical team.”
An alternate source also said that the “My Heart Will Go On” singer is “staying positive and upbeat” about her condition, with hopes that a time will come when she will physically reconnect with her fans.
The insider continued, “Getting back on stage in some form is her constant dream, even if she can no longer sing; she just wants to see those shining faces.”
Celine Dion’s Sister Feels Heartbroken By The Singer’s Condition
The reports follow news from Dion’s sister, Claudette, who revealed that the Grammy winner was still receiving support from fans via her family charity, Fondation Maman Dion.
“Some people have lost hope because it’s all illness that isn’t well known,” Claudette said, per the Daily Mail. “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 gets so many messages, presents, and blessed crucifixes.”
At the time, Claudette expressed sorrow at witnessing her sister lose control of her muscles despite the substantial effort she had invested in her recovery.
“What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined,” the Quebec-born said. “She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly.’”
The mother of four also mentioned that it remains uncertain “in what capacity” Dion would make a return if it does happen in the future.
When Did Celine Dion Reveal Her Stiff-Person Syndrome Diagnosis?
Last year, Dion admitted to fans in a teary video that she was suffering from a rare disease known as stiff-person syndrome. The illness lacks a precise known cause, but researchers suspect it to be an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system attacks healthy cells without clear reasons.
It also comes with symptoms such as spasms, which Dion said affect “every aspect of her daily life.” At the time, she also revealed that the illness brought about walking difficulties and was preventing her from properly using her vocal cords.
“I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life…” said the singer in the video, which she also uploaded in French.
She added, “I have hope that I am on the road to recovery. This is my focus and I am doing everything that I can to recuperate.”
Celine Dion Recently Made A Public Appearance
Amid her struggles, Dion’s family has been her support, especially her kids, sons René-Charles, 22, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 13, whom she shares with her late husband, René Angélil.
It was not surprising that Dion was with the twins when she made her first public appearance in three years. The singer was spotted attending a hockey game in Las Vega’s T-Mobile Arena, where the Montreal Canadiens played against the Vegas Golden Knights. She appeared to be in good spirits and was casually dressed in a chic white gilet.
Later on, she and her boys visited the locker room to interact with the Montreal Canadiens squad. Dion also took the time to pose for a picture with the team VP, Chantal Machabee. The photo eventually made it to Machabee’s social media page, eliciting a joyous reaction from fans of the singer.