In a poignant scene from 'I Am: Céline Dion,' the iconic singer endures a harrowing and unforeseen episode of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).
Céline Dion offers fans an unprecedented glimpse into her profound struggles over the past several years.
In a deeply moving moment near the conclusion of her forthcoming documentary, "I Am: Céline Dion" (streaming globally on Prime Video), the legendary singer, now 56, tentatively but triumphantly reenters the recording studio following her August 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome.
Soon afterward, she proceeds to a physical therapy session, part of her continuous treatment regimen, where she begins experiencing spasms in her foot.
As her body seizes, it's evident Dion is in severe agony while her medical team administers diazepam nasal spray during the SPS crisis. "If she goes back into a spasm, we'll call 9-1-1," a team member remarks.
"Every time something like this occurs, it leaves you feeling so humiliated," Dion confides afterward in the film. "It's difficult to articulate ... you despise losing control of yourself, you know?"
The five-time Grammy winner reflected on the terrifying moment captured by director Irene Taylor's crew.
"One aspect of the [SPS] condition is that overstimulation — whether from joy, sadness, sound, or surprise — can trigger a crisis," Dion explains, adding that she "did not foresee" the episode happening that day. "I was fine, and then something set it off."
For Taylor, being "two feet away" from Dion during the crisis offered her a deeper understanding of the disorder.
"It was truly extraordinary, not only for Céline to experience but for me to witness," says Taylor. "I kept filming because that's my instinct, and I figured we would decide later whether to include it in the film."
By the time the film reached post-production, Dion and Taylor had forged a profound bond. "I knew incorporating it into the film wasn't a risk because she trusted me by then," Taylor states. "She's an open book, fully transparent, and I am grateful for that."
With this documentary, Dion aims to bring a human face to the rare disorder and raise funds for scientific research in hopes of finding a cure.
"Neuropathy is vast and varied. That's why I'm committed to raising funds so people can seek advice and discuss it with their loved ones," Dion asserts.
Dr. Amanda Piquet, director of the autoimmune neurology program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the physician who diagnosed Dion, adds, "The future for SPS is promising, with many advancements on the horizon."
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 74
So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Greatest.
