James Owen, son of former professional footballer Michael Owen, has spoken about the profound emotional toll of abandoning his childhood dream of pursuing a football career due to a rare eye condition. At the age of eight, James was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, an inherited disorder that causes progressive central vision loss.
Now 20, James has become clinically blind, with his vision limited to his peripheral sight. He shared his experiences in a forthcoming reality series, "Meet The Owens," set to premiere on Prime Video next week. James explained that the condition makes maintaining eye contact difficult, sometimes leading to misunderstandings where people perceive him as rude.
His mother, Louise, first noticed potential vision issues when a teacher expressed concern about James's ability to see the classroom board. Subsequent extensive testing confirmed the diagnosis of Stargardt disease, which affects approximately one in 10,000 people worldwide.
Michael Owen recalled the initial diagnosis as a deeply emotional period, admitting to crying in his car as he contemplated his son's future. He emphasized his desire for James to maintain a positive outlook and avoid self-pity. Michael also expressed pride in James's ability to laugh at himself, noting that it has brought them closer.
James described the realization that his football aspirations were unattainable as