Celine Dion made a rare public appearance at the Grammys this weekend amid her struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
The singer was diagnosed with SPS, which is a rare neurological disorder, in 2022, and has since scaled back her public engagements. However, on Februrary 4 the My Heart Will Go On singer was helped onto the stage to present the Album of The Year award to Taylor Swift, which marked 27 years since she received the same award from Diana Ross and Sting.
The evening also saw Taylor Swift making Grammy history by becoming the first artist to clinch the Album of the Year award four times.
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Swift was among those on their feet as Dion took to the stage. Celine Dion said: "Thank you all, I love you right back. When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart. Those who have been blessed enough to be here at the Grammy Awards must never take it for granted, the tremendous love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all around the world."
A new documentary is set to air on Amazon Prime called I Am: Celine Dion, taking fans behind the scenes as she battles with the disorder. Captured by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Irene Taylor, Dion added: "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." The singer has spoken about having muscle spasms as a result of SPS, and in 2022, cancelled her Las Vegas residency due to health concerns.
What is Stiff Person Syndrome?
SPS is rare and is thought to be caused by an auto-immune disorder. It affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord.
It leads to severe muscle stiffness that can hinder movement and cause painful muscle spasms in response to various stimuli, such as loud noises or light touch. Cold temperatures and emotional stress can also set off a muscle spasm. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking, and the person might space the feet wide to feel more steady.
- A stiff or rigid posture due to ongoing spasms in the back or trunk.
- Unsteadiness and falling because of sudden spasms, which can lead to injuries.
- Shortness of breath if SPS affects muscles in the chest.
- Chronic pain.
- Exaggerated curve (hyperlordosis) in the lower back that develops over time due to muscle tightness, and changes in the spine alignment can lead to spinal cord compression (myelopathy).
- Anxiety and agoraphobia due to falls caused by spasms.
SPS symptoms do not appear in a specific order. For some people, the condition starts with cramps or stiffness in the legs that become gradually worse over weeks, months and years. Others may experience different symptoms before muscle spasms.
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