Celine Dion is giving fans an honest and emotional glimpse into her life with stiff person syndrome through a new documentary. The famous singer faces a scary medical crisis during a physical therapy session, and it’s all captured on film.
In 2022, Dion announced she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome, a rare and progressive neurological disorder. However, in her documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, she reveals she has been dealing with symptoms for 17 years.
“I need my instrument. And my instrument was not working. So we started to elevate the medicine,” Dion, 56, explained about the difficulties she faced hitting certain notes during her 2018 and 2019 tours.
Struggles on Tour
Even though she completed her 2018 tour, Dion had to postpone several dates on her 2019 tour due to what was initially thought to be the “common cold” before the pandemic shut everything down.
Her tour resumed in 2022, but once again she had to cancel and reschedule shows. She officially canceled the rest of her appearances when she revealed her diagnosis.
“I can’t lie anymore,” Dion admits in the documentary. “From a sinus infection to an ear infection to whatever. Sometimes I would point my microphone toward the audience, and I would make them sing it. There are moments where I cheated and I tapped on the microphone like it was the microphone’s fault.”
A Heart-Wrenching Scene
In one very vulnerable moment, Dion experiences a full-body spasm while lying on a massage table during physical therapy. Her foot cramps up and within minutes, her entire body seizes, making her unable to communicate with anyone in the room.
As the camera rolls, a member of her medical team rushes in with a benzodiazepine nasal spray and administers it to Dion. Though motionless, she cries out in pain. It’s hard to watch.
Once the spasms subside – which usually last 30 minutes to an hour – Dion sits up and speaks. “Every time something like this happens, it makes me feel so embarrassed,” she confesses. “I don’t know how to express it, you know, to not have control over yourself.”
Her physical therapist suggests the attack was triggered by being “overstimulated” from an earlier singing session.
“If I can’t get stimulated by what I love, then I’m going to go on stage, and you’re going to put the pulse oximeter on me and turn me on my back?” Dion wonders aloud.
Hopes for the Future
Dion remains hopeful that one day she’ll be able to return to the stage. You can watch the harrowing footage of her seizure in the documentary.
This incredibly moving documentary is a must-watch for everyone, even if you’re not a fan of Celine Dion. It offers a profound look into the struggles she faces and her incredible strength in dealing with this challenging condition.
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