Celine Dion has opened up about her ongoing struggle with stiff person syndrome (SPS) in a new Prime Video documentary, “I Am Celine Dion.” The film offers an intimate look at her life as she manages this rare and debilitating neurological disorder, which impacts her ability to sing, perform, and even complete simple tasks.

SPS causes severe muscle stiffness and spasms, leading to intense pain and restricting movement. Celine has battled this condition for 17 years, yet continues to demonstrate her strength and dedication to her fans and career.

The documentary captures Celine’s emotional journey and the physical hardships she faces daily. In one of the most moving scenes, she reflects on the moment she first experienced symptoms: her voice began wavering unexpectedly after breakfast, an unsettling experience for any singer. As she details, SPS constricts the muscles around her lungs, making breathing difficult and affecting her singing ability.

Celine breaks down while expressing how painful it is to feel betrayed by her own body, unable to perform with the ease she once took for granted. Despite her best efforts, her performances are often cut short due to sudden muscle spasms, forcing her to cancel shows and rely on various techniques, like prompting the audience to sing along or blaming technical issues when her voice falters.

The film delves deeply into the medical challenges Celine endures. She undergoes a strict treatment regimen, including high doses of medication to manage pain and reduce muscle stiffness. She reveals that she sometimes takes up to 90 mg of Valium daily to cope, a sobering insight into the severity of her condition.

In another poignant moment, she is shown gripping her physical therapist’s hands during a painful spasm, illustrating the daily battles she fights. These treatments, however, only provide temporary relief, and her condition still restricts her activities, often leaving her unable to perform on stage or in the studio.

The documentary also sheds light on the emotional toll SPS has taken on Celine. She describes feeling deceptive when she performs, knowing she can’t always deliver the flawless shows her audience expects. This struggle has led her to seek therapy for anxiety and depression, common side effects of living with a chronic illness.

The emotional challenges are just as significant as the physical, as she copes with feelings of embarrassment, isolation, and loss of control over her body. Celine’s honesty about her mental health battles makes her story even more relatable, showing the audience that she is, at heart, a person dealing with overwhelming hardship.

Despite everything, Celine’s love for music remains undiminished. In one scene, she is shown in a recording studio, passionately working on new material, still deeply engaged in the creative process. Her dedication is inspiring, and the documentary captures how music continues to bring her joy and purpose, even as she navigates her illness.

The film’s conclusion features an emotional and raw moment during a physical therapy session where she experiences a severe spasm, crying out in pain. Supported by her team, she endures the crisis and slowly regains her composure, demonstrating her determination to persevere.

For fans, the documentary is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a legendary artist who refuses to be defined by her illness. Celine’s resilience, her commitment to music, and her transparency in sharing this journey stand as a testament to her incredible strength.