Star singer Celine Dion is facing a challenging health battle as her sister, Claudette, reveals that the iconic artist is no longer in control of her muscles due to the progression of an incurable neurological disorder known as stiff person syndrome.

After canceling her world tour in December last year, the 55-year-old Canadian singer continues to grapple with the debilitating effects of stiff person syndrome, a condition where the body attacks its own nerve cells, severely impacting mobility. Celine’s older sister Claudette shared the distressing update: “She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles.”

Stiff person syndrome is a progressive and rare disorder, making research and treatment challenging. “The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because it’s 1 out of a million cases, the scientists haven’t done that much research because it didn’t affect that many people,” Claudette explained.

Despite the limitations imposed by the disorder, Celine Dion remains determined, “In both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know,” Claudette said. Hear more about whether she’ll perform again in her first public appearance in over three years amid her battle with the disease.

The Dion family’s charity, Fondation Maman Dion, has received an outpouring of support from fans. “People tell us they love her and they’re praying for her. She gets so many messages, presents, and blessed crucifixes,” Claudette shared.

While Celine’s sister expressed gratitude for the support, she also acknowledged the difficulty in finding effective treatments. “We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important,” she said.

Stiff person syndrome can turn individuals into “human statues,” impairing their ability to walk and talk. It’s an exceptionally rare condition, affecting approximately one in a million people, and the lack of widespread cases hampers extensive research efforts.

Despite rumors circulating on social media, Claudette debunked claims that Celine Dion is wheelchair-bound.

Earlier this year, a video surfaced on YouTube titled ‘Celine Dion’s Family Reveals How She Is Dying,’ triggering speculations about her health. Claudette dismissed the rumors, saying,”I know that morally, mentally, she is strong. She is not depressed at all … she really has the joy of living. We will get through this.”

Despite the immense challenges posed by stiff person syndrome, Celine Dion’s resilience is evident. Her sister affirmed that, even in pain, the renowned singer hasn’t given up on her plans to grace the stage once again. Claudette assured fans that Celine is following her doctors’ care plan diligently because she “wants to come back, that’s for sure.”

Learn more about stiff person syndrome and Celine’s diagnosis in the video below.