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.
