Entertainment
Colin Farrell is in tears about his son’s life with Angelman syndrome
Colin Farrell has discussed his son’s life with Angelman syndrome.
August 7, 2024, published at 6:30 PM ET
Colin Farrell has opened up about his son James’ diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome – and what he’s doing now to help others with similar intellectual disabilities.
RadarOnline.com can reveal that Farrell, 48, discussed his 20-year-old son’s life with the rare genetic and neurological disorder during an in-depth interview to be released later this month.
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Farrell, 48, spoke this week in a rare interview about his son James’ life with Angelman syndrome.
He said: “I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”
Angelman syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and results in delayed development, intellectual disability, speech disorders and problems with movement and balance, according to the National Institutes of Health.
James Farrellwhich the Irish actor shares with model Kim Bordenave, 52, was diagnosed with the condition when he was about two years old. He is non-verbal.
The Batman actor said: “I thought he was just a chill baby, but he just didn’t hit the benchmarks. He wasn’t sitting or crawling. We knew something was going on developmentally.”
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The Irish actor said: “I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”
Farrell fought back tears during his interview with People as he talked about the day his son learned to walk – despite Angelman syndrome.
It was shortly before James’ fourth birthday and the Miami Vice star “burst into tears” because it was so “amazing” and “beautiful.”
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Farrell said: “I will never forget James’ first steps. Two weeks before his fourth birthday. It was so profound. It was magical.
“I’ll never forget the determined look on his face as he just walked towards me. I burst into tears. It was amazing. When I hear that he may never walk and see those first steps, I will never forget it. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful.”
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James Farrell was diagnosed with the disorder when he was just two years old.
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Colin Farrell
The two-time Golden Globe Award winner also praised James during the in-depth interview, acknowledging how his 20-year-old son has “worked so hard his whole life” despite the rare genetic and neurological condition that tried to hold him back.
He said: “I’m proud of him every day because I think he’s just magical.”
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Farrell has since announced the creation of the Colin Farrell Foundation – an organization “dedicated to transforming the lives of individuals and families with intellectual disabilities through education, awareness, advocacy and innovative programs”.
He decided to establish the foundation in honor of his son because most families affected by an intellectual disability such as Angelman Syndrome are ‘left to fend for themselves’ once the person with the disability reaches the age of 21.
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Colin Farrell poses for a photo with his youngest son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell, 14, at last year’s Oscars.
The Banshees of Inisherin said: “For years I wanted to do something in the area of providing greater opportunities for families with a child with special needs to get the support they deserve, basically the help in all areas of life.
“Once your child turns 21, they are a bit on their own. All the safeguards that have been put in place, special education classes, all disappear, so you are left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not gets left behind.
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“This is the first time I’m speaking about it, and the only reason I’m speaking is obviously because I can’t ask James if he wants to do this.”
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