Celine Dion's sister has provided a further update on the star's health, saying that they are "praying for a miracle".
Earlier this year, Dion, 55, revealed the devastating news that she is canceling her entire Courage World Tour due to an ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder.
Dion began her message by saying: "Hello everyone, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person."
She went on to open up about her health issues, stating: "I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it has been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through."
Dion then disclosed her diagnosis: "Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects one in a million people."
The singer's sister, Claudette Dion, provided an update in early August, stating that Dion needed to rest in order to overcome her health battles.
Claudette has since spoken to Hello! Canada to provide a further update, explaining: "She's doing everything to recover. She's a strong woman."
Adding that the family is "praying for a miracle," Dion's sister went on: "There are spasms - they're impossible to control. You know how people often jump up in the night because of a cramp in the leg or the calf? It's a bit like that but in all muscles. There's little we can do to support her, to alleviate her pain."
Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) remains a largely unknown condition. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, SPS is characterized 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."
The institute further explains that people with SPS can experience severe disability, making it challenging to walk or even leave their homes due to triggers like loud noises.
SPS predominantly affects women, with twice as many women being affected as men, and symptoms typically manifest between the ages of 30 and 60. Although there is no known cure, medical professionals can manage the condition by using muscle relaxants and steroids.
"We're crossing our fingers that researchers will find a remedy for this awful illness," Claudette went on, adding that she knows that fans feel the same.
"They love Celine. Not only for the voice she has but also for the human being she is. For the woman she has become, for the mother she has become. We love her for the person she is," she said.
