Colin Farrell shares rare glimpse of life with son James, 20, who has genetic disorder Angelman syndrome: ‘I want the world to be kind to him’

by

As a compassionate observer of life, I find myself deeply moved by Colin Farrell’s heartfelt journey as a father to his son, James. His unwavering love and commitment to James, who lives with Angelman syndrome, is a testament to the strength of family bonds and the power of empathy.

Colin Farrell shares an uncommon peek into his daily life as he cares for his 20-year-old son James, who lives with the challenges presented by Angelman syndrome.

James was born with a genetic condition affecting his nervous system that leads to developmental delays, balance problems, and various other complications for affected individuals.

Due to the gravity of his condition, he’s unable to speak on his own and relies on a full-time caretaker to assist him with his daily activities.

Currently, Colin establishes a foundation aimed at assisting intellectually disabled adults, expressing heartfelt sentiments regarding his affection for his son in the process.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I ardently wish for the global community to extend compassion and respect towards my fellow human, James. I envision a world where he is treated with kindness in all his encounters.

Colin was previously involved with Canadian model Kim Bordenave and they share a child named James together. Additionally, he has a 14-year-old son named Henry with his co-star from the show Ondine, Alicja Bachleda-Curús.

In the course of his recent photoshoot, James chose to engage a reporter by casually involving her in a game of catch using a ball in the backyard, throwing it to her.

Colin mentioned that James has dedicated an immense amount of effort throughout his life to mastering both repetition and balance, as well as refining his previously awkward walking style.

As a seasoned parent who has been through the messy yet beautiful journey of feeding my child for the first time, I can confidently say that witnessing my child’s first self-feeding attempts was a truly magical experience. It was like watching a Jackson Pollock painting come to life before my eyes – food splattered everywhere and chaos reigned supreme. But amidst the chaos, there was a sense of accomplishment as I saw my child successfully getting the food into his mouth, feeding himself beautifully. Every day, I am filled with immense pride as I marvel at his progress, knowing that he is growing and learning in ways that only a parent can truly appreciate.

In a new development, Colin shared his thoughts on the subject as he couldn’t directly ask James whether he wanted to proceed with this.

One factor motivating him to establish his foundation was the fact that individuals with unique requirements lose access to specific assistance programs once they reach the age of 21, which had been provided to them earlier.

Colin mentioned that when James turns 21, it’s like he will have more independence or self-responsibility, which is almost upon us.

As a special education teacher with over two decades of experience, I have seen firsthand the struggles faced by young adults with learning disabilities as they transition from school to adulthood. Despite all the safeguards put in place, such as specialized classes and individualized educational plans, these students are too often left behind when it comes to integrating into modern society.

In my own words, allow me to express that this topic is being addressed for the very first time, primarily due to the fact that I find myself in a position where I cannot personally consult James about his preferences regarding this matter.

Colin subsequently made it clear that when he talks to James, he assumes he possesses the capacity to understand English fluently, along with the mental abilities typical of a 20-year-old.

Instead of his direct response, it’s unclear if he’s at ease with everything that’s happening. Given my understanding of James’s character and his inherent kindness, I must make a decision based on this knowledge.

Actor from In Bruges expresses his wish that if James, knowing it wasn’t his dad’s preference, would agree to have their photo taken in the garden, with the hope this could aid families and young adults living with special needs. He believes James would reply: “Dad, what’s the big deal? Of course, I’ll do it! It’s a no-brainer.”

He noted that ‘that’s why’ he agreed to open up his life to the spotlight and start his foundation. ‘This is all because of James – it’s all in his honor.’

The objective of the Colin Farrell Foundation is to offer enhanced resources to families with children who have special needs, enabling them to access the necessary support across various aspects of their lives.

Intellectually challenged adults deserve more personal freedom and self-rule in their lives, as well as increased involvement within their communities, according to his statement.

At age four, it was when James was still young, that Colin openly shared about his son’s Angelman syndrome. He commended his son for showing remarkable bravery in dealing with his health situation.

Colin shared that his son had taken his initial steps around six weeks prior, an achievement that had been four years in the process. He found the moment incredibly moving, as there wasn’t a single dry eye in the room.

He shared with the Irish Independent that his awareness of his son being unique, or perhaps not entirely typical, only surfaces when he observes him among other four-year-olds. At such moments, he recalls, “Oh yeah,” and recognizes the difference. However, from the very beginning, he felt that the boy is exactly as he should be.

Just as James was about to turn 18, it was requested that Colin and Kim be granted guardianship over him due to the fact that he required assistance with daily tasks such as dressing himself and preparing meals.

As a lifestyle expert reflecting on my personal experiences, let me share that my partner and I find immense joy in celebrating our smallest achievements together – from our first spoken words at six or seven years old, to the independence of feeding ourselves at 19, and maintaining control over our health challenges like seizures. When my son James took his first steps at age four, it was such a profound moment that I felt as if I might shatter with emotion!

At the 2007 Special Olympics, Colin made the decision to express publicly his feelings of pride and joy about our son, which he later shared with InStyle magazine.

As a devoted follower, I can confidently say that this individual has significantly enhanced my life. Yet, I am acutely aware that numerous families endure hardships; their fear, bewilderment, exasperation, and anguish are profound. When you’re a parent to a child with special needs, the sense of isolation can be overwhelming. It’s crucial for us to remember that we’re not alone in this journey.

Read More

2024-08-07 20:06