Celine Dion vows to return to stage despite battling rare disorder

"I'm gonna go back onstage, even if I have to crawl," asserts Dion in her fight against stiff person syndrome.

Celine Dion has openly declared her intention to return to performing, regardless of the severe challenges posed by her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.

During a recent interview with Hoda Kotb on NBC's 'Today', the iconic singer discussed how the condition has affected her physical abilities and her singing career.

Stiff person syndrome, which Dion has been battling since the 2000s, has progressively impacted her muscle control and breathing, making performances increasingly difficult. 

"I'm gonna go back onstage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands. I will. I will," Dion firmly stated, emphasizing her resolve. 

"I am Celine Dion. Because today my voice will be heard for the first time, not just because I have to, or because I need to. It's because I want to. And I miss it."

Reflecting on her struggles, Dion shared insights into the early signs of her illness and her determination to continue performing against medical advice. 

She recounted a specific incident during a 2008 concert in Germany, where she faced significant difficulties during her vocal warm-ups but managed to deliver an abbreviated performance. 

Hoda Kotb noted that Dion often resorted to masking her condition with tactics such as pretending to have a broken microphone and encouraging audience participation.

The interview also touched on Dion's risky use of medication to manage her symptoms. 

"I did not know, honestly, that it could kill me. I would take, like, for example, before a performance, 20 milligrams of Valium, and then just walking from my dressing room to backstage," Dion revealed, acknowledging her growing tolerance and the dangerous levels she reached.

The pandemic provided Dion with a much-needed break to focus on her health, culminating in her public announcement of the diagnosis in December 2022. 

Despite her recent low public profile, Dion made a poignant appearance at this year's Grammy Awards, where she presented Taylor Swift with the Album of the Year.

Celine Dion remains hopeful and supported by her family, team, and fans worldwide, as she fights to reclaim her life and stage presence. 

Her story will be further explored in the upcoming NBC News special, "Celine's Story," and the documentary "I Am: Celine Dion," set to stream on Prime Video.