Singer Celine Dion was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome back in 2022, six years after losing her husband René Angélil to throat cancer
Celine Dion has said that her 15-year-old sons have been her biggest support system since her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis. This comes as it has been revealed that panic buttons have now been installed in their home.
Twins Eddy and Nelson have been there for their mum since she was diagnosed back in 2022, six years after their dad Rene Angelil died from throat cancer. They have now showed their support for Celine as her symptoms have got worse.
Stiff Person Syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness, rigidity and painful spasms. The exact cause is unknown, but research suggests an autoimmune response where the body attacks nerve cells that control muscle movement.
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Celine spoke to People about having panic buttons installed in her house in case of an emergency. She said: “We have panic buttons in the house, and they know how to put me on my side.
“The idea of telling them and showing them, it was not to frighten them. It is for them to know, ‘I’m your mom, and it’s my responsibility. You’re old enough to understand I might need your help.”
She explained that her sons will check on her every night to make sure her symptoms haven’t got worse than usual. Celine has worked with her boys to help them understand what happens to her body during a “crisis” episode, which is when the star seizes up and becomes incredibly stiff.
This comes as it was revealed that Celine was never scheduled to “attend, perform, or present” at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, according to a representative for the singer.
The 57-year-old Canadian, who won Eurovision for Switzerland in 1988 with Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi, was rumoured to be performing at this year’s song contest.
A statement given to the PA news agency from a representative clarified: “We would like to address the false reporting regarding Celine Dion and the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year.
“Celine was not in Basel, nor did she ever plan to attend, perform, or present at the event. Furthermore, contrary to certain claims, she does not own a private plane.
“Recent published stories are entirely false and potentially damaging since they suggest that she accepted the organisers’ invitation to attend in person and that her subsequent nonattendance resulted from ill health. This is completely untrue.”
The statement went on: “What is accurate is that Celine was invited to record a brief video greeting for the occasion, which she was happy to provide. In an era where sensational headlines often take precedence, we urge media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity and even minimal fact-checking before publishing such inaccuracies.”
Dion made an appearance during the first semi-final of the song contest in a pre-recorded video message. During the semi-final, she appeared on screen to tell viewers that she would “love nothing more” than to be at the contest.
Last year she delivered her first live public performance since opening up about her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), singing from the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony.
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