Céline Dion Grateful for Love and Support as She Celebrates 55th Birthday After Stiff Person Syndrome Diagnosis
Céline Dion is expressing her gratitude as she celebrates her 55th birthday, more than three months after revealing her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome. The five-time Grammy winner took to her Instagram Story to thank everyone for their birthday messages, saying, "I felt this giant wave of love."
Her official account also posted a heartfelt video featuring cherished family memories and birthday moments, inviting fans to extend their love to the star. Fans were encouraged to share their messages for Dion using the hashtag #LetsTalkAboutLove25.
Dion's Love Again castmates, Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra, wished her a happy birthday, calling it "one of the biggest days of the year." In the upcoming romantic comedy, Dion plays a fictionalized version of herself, helping a journalist assigned to profile her find love. Chopra referred to Dion as a "real-life fairy godmother," while Heughan thanked her for sharing her love and music with the world.
View this post on Instagram
Dion's birthday follows her announcement of her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis, a rare and incurable neurological disease causing debilitating muscle spasms. This revelation led her to postpone and cancel several upcoming concert dates.
The Stiff Person Syndrome Foundation states that the condition affects the central nervous system and can leave patients disabled or bed-ridden, with symptoms ranging from hyper-rigidity and chronic anxiety to violent muscle spasms capable of causing dislocations or fractures.
At the time, Dion shared that her spasms make it difficult for her to walk and sing as she's accustomed to.
A source told PEOPLE that Dion is concentrating on her health and her three sons and is "overwhelmed and moved by the outpouring of love and support from her fans." The source added that Dion is doing everything she can to return to the stage and reunite with her fans.