Céline Dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with a rare neurological condition and has cancelled her upcoming Courage world tour.
The Canadian songstress shared the news during an emotional video on Instagram, informing fans that she has Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), a rare disorder that affects the nervous symptom and causes extreme muscle stiffness and painful spasms.
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome, which affects 1 in a million people,” Dion said in the clip.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having.
“Unfortunately these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I’m used to.”
According to the Stiff Person Syndrome Research Foundation, SPS affects between 1-2 in one million people and is more common in women than men.
While there is no cure for SPS currently, the symptoms can be treated with medication and therapies.
The My Heart Will Go On singer said she would be unable to restart her world tour in Europe next February, when she was due to tour in Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, and the UK.
She said eight tour dates would be cancelled and rescheduled to 2024.
The news comes after the five-time Grammy winner cancelled the North American leg of her tour earlier this year.
In the video, Dion thanked fans for their well-wishes and her children for their support, telling fans she was working with medical therapists to build her strength and ability to perform again.
“I always give 100 percent when I do my shows, my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now,” the 54-year-old said.
“For me to reach you again I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment and I have hope that I’m on the road to recovery.
“This is my focus and I’m doing everything I can to recuperate.”
Image: Instagram
This article first appeared on OverSixty.