Man with same illness as Celine Dion can't hug wife or children without spasming

19.12.2022 - 00:19 / msn.com

A man diagnosed with the same one-in-a-million condition as Celine Dion has told how it's left him unable to hug his family or live independently. Dominic Alderson, 49, was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) in April 2021 after he started suffering from "horrific" spasms. Before his diagnosis, Dominic lived a "normal, healthy life" with his wife, Leann, 45, a social worker, and two children - Rebecah, 16, and Harry, 15.

The dad-of-two was sent for tests where he was seen by a neurologist who identified his symptoms as SPS. Since his diagnosis, Dominic has been left unable to do many of the activities he previously could such as driving, cleaning, cooking, and walking the dog - and is even unable to hug his family. The rare, progressive neurological disorder causes stiff muscles in the torso, arms, and legs.

It can also lead to a higher sensitivity to noise, touch, and emotional distress - which can set off muscle spasms. Celine Dion announced she suffers from the condition - which affects roughly one or two out of every million people. It has caused the singer to postpone dates for her European tour next year.

Dominic, a battery operative, from Barnstaple, Devon, said: "I can't do a lot of the things that I did. "One thing about SPS is it is a neurological disorder similar to multiple sclerosis - you can have good days and bad days. On the good days, you can do a lot but on the bad days you are spasming all day.

"I have fallen down the stairs, fallen in the kitchen - it is not just the spasms there is a rigidity that comes with it. My legs lock, my top thighs will be trying to push outwards, and my calf will be trying to push inwards. "I can't hug my wife or children, even if someone brushes against me - I start