Celine Dion is giving fans an honest look at her life with stiff person syndrome.
In a new documentary, the famous singer experiences a scary medical crisis during a physical therapy session, and it’s all caught on camera.
In 2022, Dion revealed she had been diagnosed with stiff person syndrome. In the documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” she shares that she had been dealing with symptoms of this rare, progressive neurological disorder for 17 years.
“I need my instrument. And my instrument was not working. So we started to elevate the medicine,” Dion, 56, said after struggling to hit certain notes during her 2018 and 2019 tours.
Though she completed her 2018 tour, Dion had to postpone several dates from her 2019 tour due to the “common cold” before the pandemic shut it down.
Her tour resumed in 2022, but she had to keep canceling and rescheduling shows. It wasn’t until she announced her diagnosis that she officially canceled the rest of her appearances.
“I can’t lie anymore,” Dion says in the documentary. “From a sinus infection to an ear infection to whatever. Sometimes I would point my microphone toward the audience, and I would make them sing it. There are moments where I cheated and I tapped on the microphone like it was the microphone’s fault.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Celine Dion performs live at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park at Hyde Park on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Redferns)
In the documentary, there’s a part where Dion shows a very personal moment. She’s lying on a massage table doing exercises for her physical therapy when her foot suddenly starts to cramp. Soon after, her whole body tightens up and she can’t move or talk to the people around her.
The camera keeps recording as another person from her medical team rushes in with a nasal spray called benzodiazepine. They give it to Dion, who’s in so much pain that she’s crying, even though she can’t move. It’s really hard to watch this part of the video.
Once the spasms have subsided – they typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour – Dion is able to sit up and speak.
“Every time something like this happens, it makes me feel so embarrassed,” she says. “I don’t know how to express it, you know, to not have control over yourself.”
Her physical therapist speculates the attack was brought on by being “overstimulated” from an earlier singing session.
“If I can’t get stimulated by what I love, then I’m going to go on stage, and you’re going to put the pulse oximeter on me and turn me on my back?” she wonders.
Dion hopes that one day soon she’ll be able to return to the stage.
Stanford Viennese Ball Opening Committee Polka dance leaves the audience speechless
Have you ever experienced the grandeur of a ball?
While modern times see people socializing and dancing at pubs and nightclubs, attending balls was once a significant cultural affair. Men showcased their elegance in stylish tuxedos and lavish materials, while women adorned themselves in corsets and voluminous dresses.
Even in our futuristic present, the tradition of dancing in ballrooms wearing extravagant ball gowns hasn’t vanished. In fact, various organizations organize events dedicated to commemorating this historical era centered around ball dancing, and one such notable occasion is the Stanford Viennese Ball.
The Stanford Viennese Ball, as described on its website, stands as an exhilarating Stanford institution, featuring social dance, live music, performances, and lively contests. Originating in 1978, the ball was driven by students who had completed the Stanford-in-Austria program and were inspired by the grand balls in Vienna, Austria.
The inaugural event, held in Toyon Hall, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 350 students, marking the beginning of a tradition that has since evolved into a formal affair eagerly anticipated by students. The excitement is palpable as attendees revel in the opportunity to don freshly ironed suits, dresses, and gloves.
A highlight of the event is the opening dance, meticulously curated by the Stanford Viennese Ball Opening Committee. The opening song captivates the audience with its impressive harmony and synchronicity. Men don black suits, while ladies grace the scene in white silk dresses and gloves, executing multiple lifts and quick spins that leave the audience in awe.
The opening committee’s performance is a spectacle that never has a dull moment, featuring a series of captivating maneuvers that seamlessly flow from one to the next. Witness the charm and entertainment of their act below!
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