Janice Dean, the vibrant and beloved senior meteorologist for Fox News, has long brought sunshine to American screens. But behind her signature smile is a deeply personal story—one marked by fear, resilience, and a powerful transformation. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2005 at the age of 35, Dean has since become a leading advocate for those living with chronic illness, proving that a diagnosis does not define a destiny.

A Shocking Diagnosis Amid Career Success

In 2005, Dean was thriving in her broadcast career. Having moved from Canada to New York to chase her dreams, she had found her place at Fox News, covering major events including the catastrophic 2005 hurricane season. But during that demanding period, her body began sending unsettling signals—numbness, tingling, overwhelming fatigue.

At first, Dean attributed the symptoms to stress. But the morning she woke up unable to feel the soles of her feet changed everything. A battery of medical tests—including an MRI and spinal tap—led to a life-altering diagnosis: relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

MS is an unpredictable autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and body. There is no cure. For Dean, the words from her doctor conjured only one terrifying image: a wheelchair.

Wrestling with Fear and Silence

Early on, Dean was urged to keep her diagnosis private. In a career where on-screen presence is paramount, she feared that going public with her condition might limit her opportunities—or worse, invite judgment.

But she wasn’t alone. Fox colleague Neil Cavuto, who had been diagnosed with MS in 1997, became a guiding light. He assured her that she could still thrive in her career and joked that if it came to it, Fox would build “his-and-her wheelchair ramps.” That blend of humor and empathy helped Dean shift from fear to determination.

Rewriting the Narrative

Rather than surrender to the illness, Dean chose to fight—with courage, transparency, and resolve. Over the years, she has managed her MS through twice-yearly IV infusions and by listening to her body’s needs. Though the disease remains unpredictable, her commitment to living fully has never wavered.

Dean’s personal life, which she once feared might unravel due to her illness, flourished. Her now-husband, Sean Newman, proposed in 2007, and the couple has two sons: Matthew and Theodore. Interestingly, her MS symptoms temporarily eased during pregnancy—something medical experts say is common due to immune system shifts.

Being open with her children about her condition was important to Dean. When they asked if she might someday need a wheelchair, she answered honestly. Their response? “We’ll ride on it with you.”

Using Her Voice for Others

In 2008, Dean made the decision to share her diagnosis publicly during National MS Awareness Week. It was a turning point—not just in her life, but for thousands who found strength in her honesty.

Her 2019 memoir, Mostly Sunny, became a heartfelt tribute to resilience, blending her personal challenges with her experiences in broadcasting and motherhood. Through her storytelling, Dean gave a voice to the many who suffer silently with “invisible illnesses.”

But her advocacy goes beyond words. Dean has become a prominent figure in the MS community, appearing at events such as the National MS Society’s Women on the Move Luncheon and offering personal support to newly diagnosed individuals—just as Cavuto once did for her.

Embracing Every Moment

Now 54, Dean continues to appear on Fox & Friends and contributes to Fox Weather, never letting her condition define her. Behind the scenes, she battles flare-ups—numbness, fatigue, sensations like a “sunburn on the back of the neck.” Yet, she shows up, radiating warmth, determination, and authenticity.

In 2018, when a viewer cruelly criticized her legs on social media, Dean delivered a powerful rebuttal:

“I’m grateful I have them to walk with.”

That moment became symbolic of her evolution. No longer self-conscious about her appearance, she embraces her body’s strength—and the journey it’s carried her through.

A Legacy of Light

Janice Dean’s journey with multiple sclerosis is a powerful reminder that adversity can be met with grace and purpose. Her life is not just about forecasting weather—it’s about forecasting hope, even in the stormiest conditions.

As her neurologist once said, Janice Dean is a warrior. And though the disease may challenge her daily, she continues to fight—not just for herself, but for everyone navigating chronic illness.

In the face of what once felt like the end, Dean has rewritten her story—and it’s filled with courage, honesty, and the undeniable belief that life, even with MS, can be mostly sunny.