Featured Image Credit: Good Morning Britain
Topics: Michael Owen, Manchester United, Liverpool
Josh Lawless
Topics: Michael Owen, Manchester United, Liverpool
Former England forward Michael Owen has admitted he would "pay every cent" to fix his son's incurable condition which ended his football dream before it even began.
James, Owen's second child with wife and childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall, was diagnosed with rare genetic eye disease 'Stargardt' when he was just eight.
The condition is rare genetic eye disease which happens when fatty material builds up on the macula - the central part of the ratna.
Loss of sight often starts when young but some people with stargardt don't start to experience it until they become adults.
There is no treatment for the degenerative eye condition and symptoms include blurriness and distorted vision.
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James was a promising footballer and his Ballon d'Or winning father thought he had a chance of following in his footsteps.
But he lost the "enjoyment" of playing as his condition got progressively worse and meant he could only see the ball if it was five yards away.
And former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Owen has admitted he would do anything for his son to see.
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"If I could give him my eyes ... I would," he said on the BBC Access All podcast.
"I would pay every cent I've got to make James see again."
The father and son duo are raising awareness of the condition with a documentary titled 'Football is For Everyone'.
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It will premiere on TNT Sports on January 30 and showcase the England Partially Sighted Futsal Team, who competed in the 2023 IBSA World Games in Birmingham.
James struggles seeing different colours but retains "good peripheral vision".
If out and about, the 17-year-old normally recognises his dad by the colour of his jumper.
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Owen believes despite what he's had to go through, James is "mentally very strong".
He is studying at business at college and Owen is not too worried about his future.
He predicted: "When I retire from work in 30 years or something, he'll probably take over the 'family empire."