Celine Dion has opened up about the impact her battle with stiff-person syndrome has had on her family and praised her sons for helping her.

The Canadian singer, 56, said that just before her shock diagnosisshe feared her sons could lose her after the death of their father René Angélil, so she wanted to get on top of her health.

The My Heart Will Go On The singer said she told her sons after being diagnosed that she was “not going to die” and said that they practiced “crisis” drills at home amid her health battle.

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“(They) will have something to eat tonight and tomorrow, but what if I don’t know what’s going on with me, and what if I die? They already lost their dad,” she told People.

“I let them know, okay, you lost your dad, (but) mom has a condition, and it’s different. I’m not going to die.”

Dion is mother to sons René-Charles, 23, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 13.

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She explained that she has “crisis” episodes with her diagnosis which leaves her in pain, so they practice at home what to do if there’s an emergency.

She said they have “panic buttons” at home and her “amazing” kids know how to turn her on her side if she goes stiff.

Dion has given fans an insight into her health battle in her new documentary, called I Am: Celine Dion.

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In a trailer, she speaks about having to cancel a show due to her health and says: “I’m working hard everyday. But I have to admit, it’s been a struggle.

“I miss it so much. The people, I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. I won’t stop.”

Dion first revealed her SPS diagnosis in December 2022 after postponing her European tour dates.

The neurological disorder creates spasms which affect a patient’s ability to walk and use their vocal cords, which means Dion can’t sing the way she used to – something she hints at in the opening voiceover of the trailer.

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