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Colin Farrell’s Heartbreaking Decision: Why He’s Putting His Disabled Son in Care

BBG News

On Friday in Los Feliz, California, Colin Farrell looked somber while getting coffee, after sharing an emotional disclosure about the choice to admit his son into a long-term care center.

In a nearby café within his residential area, the 48-year-old actor, busy with the production of the second season of his Apple TV+ series titled “Sugar,” was observed purchasing three cups of coffee.

He kept things casual in a deep V-neck T-shirt and plaid trousers, teamed with Adidas trainers. 

Colin finished the look with a camouflage headband and delicate gold and silver jewellery.

With a somber demeanor, he stood there, arms folded, seemingly lost in thought, while he waited near the coffee counter before claiming his drink.

Following Colin’s disclosure, it was after this that he took an outing. The reason for his choice to place his grown disabled son in a care facility was explained by Colin: He desires to guarantee the son’s care is effectively managed while both he and his former partner are still living, and to give him a robust feeling of community.

Earlier, the actor detailed that his son James, aged 21, experienced a devastating misdiagnosis of cerebral palsy, but later on, medical professionals correctly identified he had Angelman syndrome instead.

A relatively uncommon genetic condition known as Angelman Syndrome predominantly impacts the brain’s functioning, leading to significant physical and cognitive impairment.

In an interview with Candis Magazine, Colin shared that he and his former partner, Kim Bordenave, have mutually agreed on placing James in a permanent care home for the long term.

He mentioned that it can be challenging since some parents express their desire to raise their child independently. However, he acknowledges and appreciates this choice.

In a turn of events that sends a chill down my spine, the thought of waking up with a heart attack tomorrow leaves me uneasy. Worst-case scenario, God forbid, if such an accident were to befall Kim, James’ mother, in a car crash and she is taken away, James would be left on his own.

‘Then he’s a ward of the state and he goes where? We’d have no say in it.’

They’re aiming to discover a place they both enjoy, where he can visit now, as long as they remain active and in good health, so they can travel to it together, and occasionally take him out.

Colin went on to say: “Our goal is for him to discover a place where he can enjoy a fulfilling and joyous existence, where he feels a sense of belonging.

Previously, the actor from “The Phone Booth” shared insights about his eldest son’s health issues. He explained that, due to missing certain developmental milestones like sitting up or crawling at an early age, they sought advice from medical professionals.

Colin clarified that individuals with this uncommon ailment are frequently mistaken for those with cerebral palsy because they share comparable symptoms.

He communicated to the crowd: “James didn’t have the ability to sit upright. He also didn’t show signs of crawling. It wasn’t until he was around 1.5 years old that we decided to get him thoroughly examined, and he was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of disorders that impact movement and coordination, caused by damage or abnormal development in the brain that occurs prior to, during, or immediately after birth.

1. Trouble talking, eating, or seeing, as well as challenges in learning, could also indicate symptoms.

2. Speech problems, difficulty swallowing, vision issues, and learning disabilities may all signal symptoms.

3. Problems with speaking, eating, or sight, plus learning difficulties, can be signs of certain conditions.

4. Speech impairments, swallowing difficulties, visual problems, and learning challenges might indicate symptoms as well.

5. Troubles with speech, eating, vision, and learning could also suggest symptoms.

6. Difficulties in speaking, eating, seeing, or learning can be potential signs of certain conditions.

7. Speech, swallowing, visual, and learning problems may indicate symptoms as well.

8. Problems with speech, eating, sight, or learning abilities could also point to symptoms.

9. Difficulties in articulation, ingestion, vision, and education might suggest symptoms too.

10. Speech, swallowing, seeing, and learning difficulties can be indicative of certain symptoms.

Colin mentioned that it was frequently misunderstood due to its similar traits, which indeed was quite disappointing.

The Oscar-nominated individual disclosed that, around the age of 2.5 years, a pediatric neurologist recommended having James undergo testing for Angelman syndrome.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment, he said, “I can still recall the initial questions that crossed my mind – ‘How long do I have left and what kind of discomfort will I face?’

The doctor explained, “Based on our current understanding, our life spans appear identical, and I don’t foresee any pain in your future.

A doctor had noticed an unusual symptom that prompted him to test for Angelman syndrome.

Colin clarified: One distinctive feature of Angelman syndrome is frequent bouts of laughter. The doctor noticed that James was laughing excessively and making this hand gesture, as the father of two pointed out.

Angelman syndrome is marked by frequent seizures, a challenge that Colin (father to Henry Tadeusz, 15, with Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus) stated is one of the hardships parents often face profoundly.

He mentioned: “Fortunately, it’s been around 10 to 11 years since James has experienced a significant seizure, but I’ve found myself in emergency vehicles and hospital rooms along with him.

I administered a rectal dose of Diastat, which is a sedative, to help stop a seizure that persisted for more than three minutes. Finding the correct dosage without causing any unwanted side effects can be quite challenging.

The actor has recently established the Colin Farrell Foundation, which aims to offer assistance, knowledge, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities in their adult years.

He mentioned that it was his first time discussing the matter, and it’s clear that the sole motivation for him bringing it up is because he can’t personally ask James if he would be interested in doing it. That’s what he expressed.

The proud dad stated that his eldest son ‘has worked so hard all his life, so hard’.

He commented: ‘He keeps repeating things, finding balance, and moves in a jerky way. When he began to feed himself for the first time, his face ended up resembling a Jackson Pollock painting by the end. However, he managed to get it all in, and his self-feeding was graceful. I’m filled with pride for him each day because I truly believe he’s extraordinary.’

Colin also described watching his son take his first steps just before his fourth birthday.

In simpler terms, Colin shared with everyone that he had known James’s caretakers were helping him learn to walk. Then, all of a sudden, they allowed James to approach, and he walked right up to Colin.

‘It was so profound. It was magic.

I’ll always remember the resolute expression on his face as he approached me. In just six strides, I found myself overcome with tears.

Due to the seriousness of his condition, James can’t speak on his own and relies on a full-time caregiver for assistance with daily activities.

At the age of four, it was revealed that James had Angelman Syndrome by Colin, who praised his son for exhibiting extraordinary bravery in dealing with his health situation.

Just prior to his eighteenth birthday, it was requested that a conservatorship be established for James, as he required assistance with daily activities such as dressing himself and preparing meals.

Later, it was disclosed that he and James’s mom frequently celebrate and cherish even minor achievements and significant milestones, regardless of when they occur – such as James saying his first words at age six, learning to feed himself at 19, and gaining control over his seizures.

Colin kept his personal life quiet for a long time and rarely discussed his son extensively, but only started doing so more openly recently. However, it was during the 2007 Special Olympics that he first chose to share publicly about the “pride and joy I felt in our son” with InStyle magazine.

I can’t help but express my profound gratitude for the significant impact he has had on my life. Yet, I mustn’t underestimate the challenges faced by countless families, the dread, bewilderment, exasperation, and agony they endure… As a parent of a child with special needs, it’s crucial to know that we are not isolated in our journey.

As a seasoned lifestyle enthusiast, I’d like to share some heartfelt insights from a renowned celebrity on the topic of parenthood and overcoming personal challenges. This particular star, in discussing his journey towards sobriety, credits his child with special needs, James, as the driving force behind his transformation. In essence, it was James who enabled him to take that crucial step towards a healthier life.

From 2001 to 2003, I was in a relationship with Kim, who happened to be the mother of Colin and James. Later on, around late 2008 to early 2010, I found myself dating Alicja, my co-star from Ondine. Together, we welcomed Henry into our lives.

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2025-04-19 11:49

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