In 2005, life was finally clicking into place for Janice Dean. She had just landed her dream job at Fox News, was in a promising relationship, and felt on top of the world. When she started feeling exhausted all the time, she chalked it up to working too hard and neglecting her well-being.
But during a visit home to Ottawa that October, her exhaustion turned severe. “I couldn’t even get out of bed,” she recalled. “It was like a heavy blanket was weighing me down. My feet were numb, and so were my thighs. I remember thinking, ‘What is happening to me?’”
A series of tests, including an MRI and a spinal tap, led doctors to a life-changing diagnosis: multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects nearly a million Americans. A few months ago, Janice opened up to People magazine about how the diagnosis shaped her life.
Finding Her Power in the Face of Uncertainty
Today, nearly two decades later, Janice Dean reflects on her journey with a grateful heart. The man she once feared would leave her because of her illness—New York City firefighter Sean Newman—became her husband in 2007.
Now in her 20th year at Fox, where she also contributes to Fox Weather, Janice is thankful that new treatments have helped keep her MS flare-ups under control.
“I’m still standing,” she said. “Actually, better than standing. In a lot of ways, I think I’ve grown into a better person because of this diagnosis. It made me see what’s really important—your health, your family, and having a strong support system.”
At 54, Janice has emerged as a powerful voice in the MS community, using her personal story to inspire and connect with others battling the disease. Multiple sclerosis causes the immune system to attack the protective coating around nerves, forming scar tissue that disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
A Steadfast Love: Janice Dean and Sean Newman’s Inspiring Journey
Janice has kept her personal life largely private, but her husband Sean Newman is a dedicated New York City firefighter who has served since 1996 and currently holds the rank of battalion chief.
The couple met in the early 2000s and married in 2007. Throughout their relationship, they’ve faced many challenges together—including Janice’s MS diagnosis in 2005. Through it all, Sean has been her rock.
After ten years of marriage in 2017, Janice shared:
“Looking back, marrying Sean was the biggest blessing in my life. For years, I wondered if I’d ever meet someone who would share my journey. But every job I had, every city I lived in, every twist of fate—it all led me to him. Sean is the best man I know.”
She added, “We still laugh together, we still enjoy each other’s company, and we’re so thankful for our two amazing boys. I truly can’t imagine life without him.”
“Sean, I hope you’ve got that handkerchief handy—I might shed some tears of joy. I’m so excited to continue this journey with you. As husband and wife, once more. Amen.”
Together, Janice and Sean are parents to two sons, Matthew and Theodore. Their unwavering bond and shared dedication to their family and public service stand as a testament to resilience and love in the face of life’s most difficult challenges.
