The footballing family is set to release a new documentary by the end of the month, shedding light on an emotional journey about the son of Michael Owen, James Owen who has gone blind
The courage of Michael Owen’s son, James Owen, takes center stage as he shares his story of relinquishing his football dreams due to a diagnosis of a rare condition.
Who is James Owen son of Michael Owen and what illness does he suffer from as he goes clinically blind
Michael Owen: My son could have been a pro footballer but he’s losing his eyesight. But now James Owen, 17, has trained with England’s Partially Sighted Futsal team https://t.co/I5kZpCYZ8v
— Special Needs Jungle (@SpcialNdsJungle) January 18, 2024
At the tender age of eight, James received the life-altering news of having Stargardt disease, a rare genetic condition with no current cure that affects eyesight. Now 17, James, once a promising footballer, had to face the harsh reality that his dream was shattered.
As Stargardt disease progressed, he is now ‘clinically’ blind. Despite societal expectations for him to pursue a football career, James candidly expresses losing the “enjoyment” of the sport as his vision deteriorated, making it challenging to see the ball.
In an interview with the media, he shared, “I kept playing, but Stargardt’s is a deterioration, so after a while, it just got to the point where I knew I couldn’t make a career out of it.”
James further explained how the progression of his condition affected his performance: “I was starting to… I wouldn’t say get worse, but everyone else was getting better. I kind of lost enjoyment out of it from that point of view. I used to play quite often, but I don’t play anymore.”
Michael Commended His Son
Acknowledging his son’s resilience, Michael Owen, the former Liverpool and Manchester United ace, commended James for coping admirably. However, Owen admitted the difficulty he faces when confronted with questions about James’ football journey, expressing a desire to change the subject.
The Owens aim to raise awareness about Stargardt disease through a documentary titled “Football is For Everyone,” scheduled to air on TNT Sports on January 30.
The documentary provides insight into sight loss and offers a glimpse into the England Partially Sighted Futsal Team ahead of the 2023 IBSA World Games. As a former professional footballer, Michael Owen, recognized as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, has transitioned into racehorse breeding and ownership since retiring in 2013.
The documentary is expected to shed light on the challenges faced by those affected by Stargardt disease and promote understanding and empathy.
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