Celine Dion gives a thumbs up as she makes a rare sighting in New York amid the battle against Stiff Person Syndrome
Celine Dion gave a friendly thumbs up to onlookers during a rare sighting in New York City amid her battle with the rare condition Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
Making her way into a luxurious black SUV, the 55-year-old superstar, who has left her singing career due to her health problems, appeared in good spirits.
For her laid-back outing, the five-time Grammy winner wore a black jacket over a white blouse and leather leggings.
She completed her ensemble with a pair of black boots and honey blonde locks in a bun.
Celine, from Canada, was escorted by security as she stepped outside.
Celine Dion gave a friendly thumbs up to onlookers during a rare sighting in New York City, amid a battle with the rare condition ‘stiff person syndrome’
Making her way into a luxurious black SUV, the 55-year-old superstar, who has left her singing career in light of her health problems, appeared in good spirits
In December, Dion’s sister Claudette said the music artist no longer has “control over her muscles.”
A year after the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker had to cancel her world tour, her sibling, 74, suggested it could be a while before Celine returns to the stage.
Celine’s condition, which is progressive and incurable, causes the body to attack its own nerve cells, which seriously affects mobility.
‘She works hard, but she has no control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she has always been disciplined,” Claudette told 7 Jours.
‘She has always worked hard. Our mother always told her, ‘You’re going to do well, you’re going to do well,'” Dion’s sibling added.
She continued: “It is true that in our dreams as well as in hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? Don’t know.’
Although research into the condition is ongoing, its rarity means progress has been slow.
Claudette added, “The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is a muscle too. This is what’s coming for me. Because it is one case in a million, scientists have not done much research into it [doesn’t] affects so many people.’
For her laid-back outing, the five-time Grammy winner wore a black jacket over a white blouse and leather leggings.
The entertainer smiled as she walked past spectators in the Big Apple
Celine stuck her head out of the SUV. The singer went makeup-free
Celine, who appeared at the Grammys last month, seemed in good spirits
Celine’s charity, Fondation Maman Dion, has been inundated with messages of support for the star.
Claudette said: ‘Some people have lost hope because it is a disease that is not well known. If you only knew how many calls the Foundation gets about Celine! People tell us they love her and are praying for her. She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes.”
Claudette previously revealed that despite working with “the best researchers in the field,” her sister has seen little improvement in her health.
She told Le Journal de Montreal: “We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.”
In October, Claudette said Celine was not yet dependent on a wheelchair to get around and was still planning to perform again.