According to multiple sources, Sufjan Stevens, the American indie-folk artist, has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. The condition has taken away his ability to walk, and he has been hospitalized for several weeks but is expected to recover. Stevens has been undergoing intensive physical therapy and occupational therapy to get his body back in shape and relearn how to walk. He has been sharing updates on his recovery on Tumblr. His health has prevented him from participating in the promotion of his new album, Javelin, which was released on October 6, 2023. In addition to his health struggles, Stevens has also recently come out as gay and dedicated his new album to his late partner, Evans Richardson IV, who passed away.