Celine Dion's brave battle: Inside her fight against stiff-person syndrome

Celine Dion has announced on her social media the premiere of a new documentary film, "I Am: Celine Dion." As you might guess, the production will focus on the singer, who wants to bring viewers closer to her fight with an incurable disease called stiff-person syndrome. Dion has been struggling with this neurological disorder since December 2022, and she has withdrawn from professional life since then.

The diagnosis hit Celine like a bolt from the blue. The singer was forced to cancel her European tour scheduled for 2023. However, health proved to be more important.

This neurological disorder, also known as stiff-man syndrome, is very rare. It is characterized by progressive stiffness within the muscles and frequently recurring episodes of muscle spasms. Variability of these symptoms has been noted, with their intensity possibly influenced by sudden emotional events, abrupt sounds, or physical contact.

The cause of the disease is unknown. Doctors suspect that stiff-person syndrome may have an autoimmune basis, as it often co-occurs with disorders of such nature. However, It is known that it occurs more frequently in women than men.

In December 2022, the artist shared a personal and emotional recording on her social media. She explained what was happening to her.

"’I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it’s been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through."

In May 2023, with a heavy heart, she announced the cancellation of the rest of her tour dates, saying, "I'm so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. I'm working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you're 100%."

The long-awaited production "I Am: Celine Dion" will premiere on June 25 on the streaming platform Prime Video. Oscar-nominated Irene Taylor directed the film. The documentary shows Celine from a side she has never shown to her fans before.

It reveals Dion's fight with an incurable disease, which forced her to resign from professional life. The documentary highlights the role of music in the artist's life and her indomitable spirit. The 56-year-old does not give up and plans to return to the stage.