Michael Owen's son James, 20, is clinically blind and suffers from Stargardt disease, a rare, degenerative eye condition, as revealed in episode three of the former footballer's new reality series Meet the Owens, which landed on Prime Video on August 28.
The six-part series offers a candid look into the life of Michael, his wife Louise, and their four children Jessica, Emily, James, and Gemma. In the episode, James and his parents separately open up about their thoughts and feelings regarding the condition.
What is Stargardt disease?
Stargardt disease is a hereditary eye disorder that progressively worsens, leaving James with limited vision restricted to his peripheral vision. According to the NHS' Moorfields Eye Hospital: “Stargardt disease is a rare inherited condition affecting one in 8,000 to 10,000 people.”
The site adds: “In Stargardt’s the light-sensitive layer of cells in the macular region of the eye degenerate. The macular is the area at the back of the eye which is responsible for the fine detailed vision necessary for activities such as watching TV and reading.” Symptoms typically develop before the age of 20.
James's diagnosis and lost dream
James, who was born with the condition, only discovered it at age eight after a teacher called his parents into school to suggest he might be struggling to see. It later took the family a while to get the diagnosis.
James said: “Obviously, as you can imagine, it’s been tough growing up. It’s not good in the centre of the view and it makes it hard for me to look straight.” He added: “Quite often people think I’m rude for not keeping eye contact. I’m actually looking at them in the clearest way I possibly can.”
In a heartbreaking admission, James revealed his dream of becoming a professional footballer like his father was shattered by the diagnosis. He explained: “That was my dream, to follow my dad’s footsteps: to be a footballer and make a great career.”
He continued: “To have a realisation that it’s not possible, it kills you. It used to break my heart. Every day coming back from school and I just used to cry and I used to think life was unfair.”
Michael Owen's guilt and family's future
James now works as an online trader buying and selling gold, but hopes to put back into his father's horse racing business, Manor House Stables, in the future. Ex-England and Liverpool player Michael, 46, admitted feeling guilty about his son's condition because it is genetic.
Michael said: “We made James and I don’t think I’d be normal if I didn’t put myself in the mirror and think, ‘You know, it’s down to us that he’s got this eye condition.’ So I did feel guilty for a little while and could say I still feel guilty now.” Nonetheless, he said he looks at the “positives with him” and then the “guilty sort of evaporates”.
The series also sees his daughter and Love Island star Gemma taking on her first race after a background in dressage, undergoing rigorous training to become a jockey for a charity race. Additionally, Michael tries to make Manor House Stables a success by finding investors. Meet the Owens is streaming on Prime Video now.
