Parents Of Children With Disabilities Are Praising Colin Farrell After He Broke Down In Tears While Sharing His Fears For His 21-Year-Old Son Who Has Angelman Syndrome

In 2003, Irish actor Colin Farrell welcomed a baby boy, James, with American model Kim Bordenave. When James was four years old, Colin revealed that his son had been diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes intellectual and developmental delay.

“It’s a terrifying thought that I’d miss the last 40 years or 50 years of his life, because I won’t be there to shepherd and to protect,” Colin said, adding that his hope for James would be “a life of connection” and that once his parents are gone, James will “be somewhere he feels like he belongs, where he feels safe.”

“A full and meaningful and connected life,” Colin added. “That would be the dream."

Going back to the beginning, Colin also opened up about what James was like as a baby in the People profile. The star said he initially thought he was lucky to have a newborn who never cried, but he and Kim grew concerned when James didn’t hit any milestones, such as sitting up.

At 18 months old, James was misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, which shares many of the same characteristics as Angelman syndrome. But one year later, another doctor picked up on James’s “inappropriate outbreaks of laughter” and arm movements, and he was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome following further tests.

Colin, who is renowned for his party boy past, revealed that his son’s additional needs are what motivated him to get sober as he realized that he wouldn’t be able to be a good parent unless he were clean.

Colin also explained that parents of children with Angelman syndrome are usually warned that their child is unlikely to ever walk, and he broke down in tears when he recalled the “overwhelmingly beautiful” moment when James took his first steps towards him two weeks before his fourth birthday.

But Colin still fears what the future holds for his son, admitting that even as a wealthy Hollywood actor, he still struggles to find the help James needs.

Needless to say, Colin’s decision to speak out has struck a chord with other parents of children with disabilities, and the star has been widely praised for using his platform to try and help others.