Michael Owen would 'swap eyes' with clinically blind son as family left praying every night for a cure

Michael Owen would 'swap eyes' with clinically blind son as family left praying every night for a cure

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 24/01/2024

- 11:06

Updated: 24/01/2024

- 11:14

Michael Owen's son, James, with diagnosed with Stargardt disease at the age of eight.

Former England footballer Michael Owen has revealed he would "pay every cent" he owns and even give up his own eyes to help his 17-year-old son see again.

Owen's son, James, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease at the age of eight, all but ending his dream of following in his father's footsteps to become a professional footballer.


The rare genetic condition has left James clinically blind with the Owen family attempting to raise awareness on the disease to help try and find a cure.

There is currently no cure with the former Liverpool striker revealing he prays every night for that to change.

Michael Owen admitted he would swap eyes with his son

Michael Owen admitted he would swap eyes with his son

GMB

"If I could give him my eyes and we could do a swap, I would," he said.

"I would pay every cent I've got to make James see again."

Owen added: "I long for a treatment to cure James.

"I wait with my fingers crossed and proactively raise awareness, like what we are doing today and James taking part in the documentary that will be airing on TNT Sports.

"I also do a lot of stuff for charity. For Fight for Sight. There's lots we do and we are always keeping our fingers crossed but it's not going to drag us down.

"We're not going to think, 'right lets just write off the next five years or just sit hoping all the time'.

"We are living life and if anything happens in the future that's great and if it doesn't he's still had a cracking life.

The support from his father has been something James hasn't taken for granted and credits him for helping turn a negative into something positive.

"I used to get upset coming back from school because I wasn't able to do the same things others kids were doing and some people liked to make a joke out of it," James said.

James Owen credits his father in helping him become more positive

James Owen credits his father in helping him become more positive

GMB

"Back then, I was a whole different person. I used to be a lot more negative about it then.

"Now I see everything in a much more positive light. That's down to my dad.

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Michael Owen has supported his son throughout

Michael Owen has supported his son throughout

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"He's helped me out with that. He's definitely made me a happier person and taught me how to take a joke about it more."

TNT Sports will show the documentary titled 'Football is for Everyone' at 11pm on January 30.

The programme takes a look at the England Partially Sighted Futsal Team during their preparations for last year's IBSA World Games.

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