Gemma Owen shares emotional post about brother’s rare condition as she lands huge new role
LOVE Island star Gemma Owen shared an emotional post about her brother James' rare eye condition after she landed a huge new role.
Gemma, 20, who is the eldest of retired England striker Michael Owen's children, opened up about her younger sibling being "clinically blind".
James, 17, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease in 2014 - a rare illness which causes degeneration of his retina and affects one in 8,000 people.
The reality star shared a photo of her smiling alongside her brother and announced that she's the new ambassador for UK charity Fight For Sight, which helps fund research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease.
"When my brother James was around 8yo he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt Disease," she said.
"This condition progressively deteriorates vision from the macula and currently there is no cure or treatment.
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";Having closely witnessed how sight loss has affected him personally, I am honoured to announce that I am now an ambassador for Fight For Sight."
Gemma admitted the charity is very important to her and her family as she prepares to undertake her new job.
"This UK charity is funding research into the prevention and treatment of blindness and eye disease and has a special place in all of my family’s heart," Gemma continued.
"I’m looking forward to working with them to help raise funds and awareness for research and developments in treatments for people with Stargardt Disease and other conditions causing blindness."
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Gemma was flooded with comments from fans praising her for raising awareness.
One wrote: "Ah amazing, using your platform to highlight something so close to your heart."
Another posted: "This is amazing, we need more people like you raising awareness for such a great cause !! Well done."
"Such a wonderful cause and a lovely way for you to continue to support your brother James," a third added.
Gemma, who is the daughter of football legend Michael Owen, shot to fame on Love Island last year.
She then signed a six-figure deal with PrettyLittleThing after the villa.
In an interview with The Times, Michael opened up about his son’s condition as he explained that his son will never follow in his footsteps.
He said: “He will never be a footballer. My son’s got an eye condition. I’ve never said this. I don’t want a big headline.
“Clinically, he’s blind. He’s got Stargardt disease, a degeneration of his retina.
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“I used to go and watch him and bollock him about his positioning. He can’t see the ball until it’s five yards away.
“As much as every father wants their son to play, it is almost a relief to me.”
