Collin Farrell has offered a rare glimpse into his life looking after his son James, 20, who has special needs due to Angelman syndrome.
EFFECTS OF ANGEL MAN SYNDROME
James was born with the neurogenetic disorder, which causes developmental delays, impaired balance and other issues.
His own case is severe enough that he is nonverbal and requires the help of a live-in caregiver to accomplish his day-to-day tasks.
Now, as Colin launches a foundation for other adults with intellectual disabilities, he has spoken touchingly about his love for his son.
‘I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect,’ the 48-year-old actor told People.
Colin shares James with his ex, Canadian model Kim Bordenave, and has another son called Henry, 14, with Alicja Bachleda-Curús, his co-star in the 2009 film Ondine.
During Colin’s photoshoot for People magazine, James can seen playing with a ball in the backyard and sweetly trying to integrate a reporter into the activity by tossing it to her.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JAMES
Colin shared that James ‘has worked so hard all his life, so hard’ at learning ‘repetition’ and ‘balance’, and improving his ‘jerky gait’.
WHEN HE STARTED FEEDING HIMSELF
He recalled: ‘When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I’m proud of him every day, because I just think he’s magic.’
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‘This is the first time I’ve spoken about it and, obviously, the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this,’ said Colin.
Part of the reason he started the Colin Farrell Foundation is that when people with special needs turn 21, they become ineligible for certain aid that was previously available to them.
‘Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,’ said Colin, less than two months before James reaches that milestone age.
