Celine Dion doccie to explore her rare illness

Pop megastar Celine Dion, pictured, who is suffering from a rare neurological disorder, is hoping to raise awareness about her condition with a new documentary that will soon stream on Amazon Prime Video.

I Am: Celine Dion, a feature-length film from Amazon MGM Studios, will offer a “snapshot” of the singer’s life and career as she battles Stiff-Person Syndrome (SPS), Amazon said this week.

The studio did not give a release date for the documentary, which will be available in more than 240 countries. Dion first disclosed her condition in December 2022. In May last year, she was forced to cancel a string of shows scheduled for 2023 and 2024.

“This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it,” she said in the statement.

“As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realised how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans.

“During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life, to try to raise awareness of this condition and to help others.”

Those with SPS experience stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs, with noise or emotional distress known to trigger spasms. Other symptoms can include slurred speech and double vision. There is no cure for the progressive disorder, but treatment can help control symptoms.

According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), SPS affects twice as many women as men. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord, according to NIH.