Celine Dion remains hopeful amid incurable neurological condition, sister says: 'She doesn't have control over her muscles'

A year ago, iconic singer Celine Dion shared publicly that she was suffering from an incurable neurological condition. Now, one of her sisters has given an update that is likely to give fans both hope and heartbreak this holiday season.

In a video shared last year, Dion explained that she suffers from stiff person syndrome, a condition which causes debilitating spasms as well as stiffness in the limbs and torso. Not only can the spasms — which are often triggered by loud noises and emotional distress — interfere with daily functions, but sufferers can severely injure themselves during a fall since they often lack the ability to catch themselves.

The condition is extremely rare but is much more common in women. According to Hello! US, women are twice as likely as men to develop SPS.

SPS forced Dion to cancel her "Courage" world tour last December, but even at the time, Dion expressed some hope. "I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better," she said. "I'm working with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again."

Now, a year later, her 74-year-old sister, Claudette, said Dion is still determined to beat the odds and return to the stage. "It's true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage," Claudette said. "In what capacity? I don't know."

"She's working hard, but she doesn't have control over her muscles," Claudette added.

"The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because it's 1 out of a million case, the scientists haven't done that much research because it didn't affect that many people."

Dion, now 55, moved to Las Vegas decades ago to perform a regular show on the Strip. However, except for a rare public appearance at a Vegas Golden Knights NHL game two months ago, she has mostly spent the last year at home with her three sons. Her other sister, Linda, moved in to Dion's Las Vegas mansion to help take care of her.

Fans have helped as well, Claudette claimed, by sending along messages of love and support. "If only you knew the number the number of messages the foundation gets about Celine! People tell us they love her and they’re praying for her," she said. "She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes."

Originally from Quebec, Canada, Dion first burst onto the American music scene in the early 1990s with hits like "Where Does My Heart Beat Now?" and the theme song to Disney's animated film "Beauty and the Beast." In 1997, Dion topped the charts once again with "My Heart Will Go On," the theme song to "Titanic," for which she won her second Grammy.

In all, Dion has won five Grammys, six American Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, among dozens of other accolades. In 2004, she was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dion's late husband, René Angélil, who was 26 years older than Dion, passed away from throat cancer in 2016.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!