There is hardly a role that the Irish actor could not take on. However, he fulfils one particularly well: that of a loving and caring father. Colin Farrell has two sons, one of whom suffers from a rare disorder that has drastically changed his life.
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21-year-old James Padraig, the son he shares with Kim Bordenave, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome—a form of mental impairment that starts when you're just a baby, and delays development. This means that those with this disorder have problems with speech, balance, and it can also cause seizures. It is an incurable syndrome.
While people with this disease do live a typical life span, their life is indeed filled with many challenges. Colin Farrell recently revealed that because of this, he has taken a big decision.
Colin Farrell is placing his son in a care facility
In order to make sure his son stays in an environment where he can be safe and happy, he is considering sending James to a care facility. A decision he admitted was 'tricky', he said he doesn't ever want James to be alone in the scenario where he or James' mother were not there in his life. He told Candis:
It’s tricky – some parents will say, ‘I want to take care of my child myself’, and I respect that.
But my horror would be, what if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James’ mother, Kim, has a car crash and she’s taken too – and then James is on his own?
And he goes where? We’d have no say in it.
They are still working out the details but he said he wants to put him in facility while he's still alive. He added:
We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected.
Colin Farrell has always been concerned that his son doesn't receive the support that he should and that it is difficult to get sometimes even though he is well off. He told People in an interview last year:
I obviously have some resources, having been in the film industry for over 20 years now, and we still struggle to find the kind of support that James deserves and is entitled to.
Colin Farrel's foundation
This realisation bothered him for a long time, which is why he came to the conclusion to set up a foundation. This has now not only been established, but is already very active. You can read about it on the foundation's website:
The Colin Farrell Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people and families with intellectual disabilities through education, awareness, advocacy and innovative programmes. Inspired by his two sons, Colin Farrell is committed to helping those who are neglected by the governments in power.
The foundation is particularly close to the 48-year-old's heart because many state aid programmes are discontinued as soon as a person reaches the age of 21. He also feels that he is acting in his son's best interests.
This article has been adapted from Oh!MyMag DE.
Read more:
Chris McCausland opens up about the struggles of being on Strictly: ‘It's mentally draining’
Sources used:
The Guardian: Colin Farrell opens up about son with Angelman syndrome: ‘We still struggle’
Colin Farrell Foundation: About
The Independent: Colin Farrell decides to move son with rare genetic disorder into care facility
