Celine Dion flashed a friendly thumbs-up sign to onlookers on a rare sighting in New York City amid her battle with rare condition, Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
While making her way into a luxury black SUV, the superstar, 55, who has stepped away from her singing career amid her health struggle, appeared in high spirits.
For her laid-back outing, the five-time Grammy winner sported a black coat over a white blouse and leather leggings.
She completed her ensemble with a pair of black boots and honey blonde tresses in a bun.
Celine, who hails from Canada, was accompanied by security as she stepped out.
Celine Dion flashed a friendly thumbs-up sign to onlookers on a rare sighting in New York City amid battle with rare condition, stiff person syndrome
While making her way into a luxury black SUV, the superstar, 55, who has stepped away from her singing career in light of her health woes, appeared in high spirits
In December, Dion’s sister Claudette said the music artist no longer has ‘control over her muscles.’
A year after the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker was forced to cancel her world tour, her sibling, 74, suggested that it may be awhile before Celine returns to the stage.
Celine’s condition, which is progressive and incurable, causes the body to attack its own nerve cells and severely impacts mobility.
‘She’s working hard, but she doesn’t have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined,’ Claudette told 7 Jours.
‘She’s always worked hard. Our mother always told her, “You’re going to do it well, you’re going to do it properly,”‘ Dion’s sibling added.
She continued: ‘It’s true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don’t know.’
While research about the condition is ongoing, the rarity of it means progress has been slow.
Claudette added: ‘The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because it’s one out of a million case, the scientists haven’t done that much research because it [doesn’t] affect that many people.’
For her laid-back outing, the five-time Grammy winner sported a black coat over a white blouse and leather leggings
The entertainer smiled as she passed by onlookers in the Big Apple
Celine peeked her head out from the SUV. The singer went makeup-free
Celine, who appeared at the Grammys last month, seemed to be in high spirits
Celine’s family charity, Fondation Maman Dion, has been inundated with messages of support for the star.
Claudette said: ‘Some people have lost hope because it’s an illness that isn’t well known. If only you knew the number of phone calls the Foundation gets about Celine! People tell us they love her and they’re praying for her. She gets so many messages, presents and blessed crucifixes.’
Claudette previously revealed that despite working with ‘the top researchers in the field,’ her sister has seen little improvement in her health.
She told Le Journal de Montreal: ‘We can’t find any medicine that works, but having hope is important.’
In October, Claudette said Celine was not yet reliant on a wheelchair to get around and still planning to return to performing.
