“Lyme disease does exist”, she said, recalling the many months when she was told by doctors she was “crazy” because there was nothing wrong with her physically.

The 30-year-old singer revealed earlier this year she has been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that if left untreated causes severe joint pain and extreme tiredness.

Avril Lavigne has been absent from the spotlight for nearly a year, but she made her return to the spotlight in spectacular fashion: by performing live at the Special Olympics 2015 in Los Angeles over the weekend.

“This was a very handsome night for me”, Lavigne wrote.

Lavigne showed off her elegant look in another Instagram post, snapped backstage before the performance.

It’s hard to believe the stunning Avril Lavigne we saw grace the stage at the Special Olympics on Saturday has been fighting a debilitating disease for two years.

“Honored to have performed my song Fly at the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics tonight”, she said on Instagram, along with a photo from the night. “Congratulations to all the athletes”, Lavigne shared. “Thank you for having me”.

“Fly” was co-written with husband Chad Kroeger and David Hodges, and will also help to raise money for The Avril Lavigne Foundation, a charity set up by the star to support young people with disabilities and life-threatening illnesses.

Lavigne went on to explain that she wrote “Fly” to “encourage people who are facing challenges, to encourage strength and to empower”.