Celine Dion’s sister Claudette Dion said they have struggled to find medicine to help the singer after she was diagnosed with a rare disease.
During an interview with Le Journal de Montreal, the 55-year-old singer’s sister told the outlet that they have been working with the “the top researchers in the field,” but have seen little improvement after Dion announced in December she had stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a progressive disease that leaves its victims as “human statues” who cannot walk or talk.
“We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important,” Claudette said.
“I honestly think that she mostly needs to rest,” she added. “She always goes above and beyond, she always tries to be the best and top of her game. At one point, your heart and your body are trying to tell you something. It’s important to listen to it.”
“When I call her and she’s busy, I speak to my sister Linda who lives with her and tells me that she’s working hard,” Claudette continued. “She’s listening to the top researchers in the field of this rare disease as much as possible.”
Celine Dion’s sister says singer is struggling amid health battle: ‘We can’t find any medicine that works’ https://t.co/ASZwHqa80J pic.twitter.com/HuNStThMzp
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In May, “The Power of Love” hitmaker shared her “tremendous disappointment” with having to announce that she was canceling the rest of her “Courage” world tour dates in order to focus on getting better.
“I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again,” Dion wrote on Instagram. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%.”
“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,” she added.
“I want you all to know, I’m not giving up … and I can’t wait to see you again!” the singer continued.
Last year, the Dion revealed her diagnosis after canceling several of her concerts on the tour.
“Hello, everyone,” Dion said. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person. As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.”
“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,” she added. “Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome which affects one in a million people.”
She concluded her post noting that as much as it hurts her, she must concentrate on her health and cancel the remaining tour dates for North America.