What is Stiff Person’s Syndrome? Celine Dion’s condition explained as she performs at Olympics opening ceremony

Celine Dion performed at the opening ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking her first time performing live since her Stiff-Persons Syndrome diagnosis in 2022.

Dion had been spotted in Paris multiple times this week, prompting speculation that she would be taking to the stage during the opening ceremony celebrations on Friday, July 26. But while the 56-year-old Canadian singer was rumored to perform during the inaugural celebration, her attendance wasn’t confirmed until she graced the stage halfway up the Eiffel Tower in the grand finale.

Dion’s heartfelt performance, which closed out the opening ceremony, came after the “My Heart Will Go On” singer broke down in tears while discussing the “very rare neurological disorder,” which led to her canceling her world tour amid her health battle.

At the time of the cancelation of her world tour, the singer said in a statement: “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100 percent.”

She added: “I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again. It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again.

In December 2022, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer posted an emotional video to her Instagram page explaining that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which she says affects “every aspect of my daily life”.

She said that the rare condition has been causing muscle spasms which affect her ability to perform and sing. “I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it’s been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through,” Dion said in a teary-eyed video.

She continued: “Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the Stiff Person Syndrome which affects one in a million people.

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”

The singer also cancelled eight of her summer shows scheduled for 2023 and rescheduled her Spring 2023 shows to 2024.

“I miss you so much,” the singer told fans. “I always give 100 percent when I do my shows but my condition is not allowing me to give that to you right now”.

However, Dion assured fans that she has a “great team of doctors” working hard to help her get better, but admitted it has been a “struggle”. Since then, she has made a series of apppearances, including the 2024 Grammy Awards, where she received a standing ovation.

Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) is an autoimmune and neurological disorder that causes rigidity in the torso and limbs. Symptoms include stiffening in the torso and limbs, along with muscle spasms.

Symptoms can be triggered by environmental stimuli (like loud noises) or emotional stress. Severe muscle spasms can cause the person to fall down.

These symptoms can lead to difficulty walking and over time, even greater disability.

Though the cause of SPS remains unknown, researchers suspect it may be caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body attacks nerve cells in the central nervous system that control muscle movement, according to Yale Medicine.

Most people with SPS will start experiencing symptoms between the ages of 30 and 60.

There is no cure for SPS. When doctors treat patients with the condition, they focus on relieving symptoms with medications such as muscle relaxants and steroids.