30 January 2024 , 19:20
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Celine Dion has documented her battle with stiff person syndrome in a new film.
The singer is attempting to return to the stage to perform, after being forced to cancel all tour dates when she was diagnosed with the rare neurological condition in December 2022. She hopes I Am: Celine Dion – directed by Oscar-nominated film-maker Irene Taylor, and which will stream on Amazon Prime Video – will raise awareness of the disorder.
Celine, 55, said: “This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me. As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realised how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans. During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this little-known condition, to help others who share this diagnosis.”
Celine Dion wants to return to the stage (AFP via Getty Images)The condition causes severe stiffness and spasms in the back or limbs. Some treatments, such as sedatives, can help but there is no cure. Amazon’s Jennifer Salke said: “This documentary is a raw, intimate portrayal of a pivotal time in her personal life and career, pulling back the curtain on her journey as she overcomes an unthinkable diagnosis.”