Irish actor Colin Farrell has opened up about his son’s intellectual disability as he launched a new organisation, The Colin Farrell Foundation.
The Banshees of Inisherin star states that the inspiration behind the foundation is his son, James who lives with a condition called, Angelman Syndrome.
In an open and honest interview with PEOPLE Magazine, the father of two spoke about James’s diagnosis and how he “wants the world to be kind to James”.
He spoke of how James was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome at the age of two and a half after previously being misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy.
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Colin, who shares his son with ex, Kim Bordenave launched the foundation ahead of James’s 21st birthday.
During the interview with People the 48-year-old explains how once a child hits the age of 21, they lose a lot of the support they may have had prior.
He said: “All the safeguards that are put in place, all the inclusive programs, special ed classes, that all goes away when they hit 21, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind.”
According to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, Angelman syndrome is caused when there is a problem with the UBE3A gene from the mother which helps our brains to develop.
Angelman Syndrome causes developmental delays as well as speech, balance and, sometimes seizures. People with the disability often seem happy and tend to laugh a lot.
In the interview, Farrell candidly recalls when his son took his first steps shortly before his fourth birthday. He describes the moment he saw his son walk for the first time as “magic” and “overwhelmingly beautiful”.
The successful actor who now resides in California set the organisation up in honour of his son James. According to the foundation’s website, it is “committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy, and innovative programs.”
When speaking of his plans to expand the foundation, the award-winning actor said that he would like to create a summer camp where families with children with special needs can come together.
He mentioned how “It’s all because of James it’s all in James’ honour, he goes on to say how “it is terrifying that I’ll miss the last 40 or 50 years of his life, I won’t be there to Shepeard and protect.”
He said his dream is for James to have a “full, meaningful and connective life”.
