Neil Diamond has talked openly about his ongoing Parkinson’s disease fight, confessing that he has just recently come to terms with his diagnosis.

The Sweet Caroline singer was diagnosed with the severe ailment in 2018, but it took a long time for him to be honest with himself about its ramifications.

Diamond admitted to CBS Sunday Morning that he had lived in denial after first receiving the dreadful news, arguing that he was not ready to accept it. The 82-year-old has subsequently evolved a more realistic approach, accepting that Parkinson’s disease is not something he can fight forever.

“I can’t really fight this thing, so I had to accept it, this Parkinson’s disease,” Diamond explained.

“There is no treatment. There is no getting around that. ‘OK, enough already,’ you can’t just say. Let’s go back to business.’ That is not how it works. But I’ve learned to accept my limits and still have wonderful days.”

The National Institutes of Health describe Parkinson’s disease as a degenerative condition that can cause shaking and coordination issues.

Despite the condition’s widespread fame, Diamond told how he originally tried to dismiss his diagnosis.

“When the doctor told me what it was, I was just not ready to accept it,” Diamond told CBS. “‘Oh, OK,’ I responded. I’ll see you anytime you want to see me. But I need to get some work done, so I’ll see you later.”

Diamond celebrated his 50th anniversary by touring the United States and Europe in 2017. However, in 2018, he announced the cancellation of the next Australia and New Zealand leg of the tour, citing Parkinson’s disease as making it impossible to continue performing.

“I announce my retirement from concert touring with great reluctance and disappointment.” “I have been so honored to bring my shows to the public for the past 50 years,” Diamond remarked at the time in a press statement.

However, in recent weeks, the singer claims that a sense of serenity has taken over his life, allowing him to come to terms with his illness and what it means for the future.

“I like it,” Diamond said. “I’m starting to like myself more. I’m gentler with others and gentler with myself. And the rhythm continues, and it will continue long after I’m gone.”