Colin Farrell opened up about his disabled son James, 21, and the family’s plans on taking long-term care. The actor’s son has Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes delayed development. Colin, 48, and his ex-partner, Kim Bordenave, are looking into putting him in a long-term care facility.
James Padraig Farrell, 21, was born to Colin and Kim on Sept. 12, 2003. In 2007, the actor publicly announced that his son had Angelman Syndrome. The syndrome causes intellectual delays, mental disability, problems with balance and speech, and can sometimes cause seizures.
Colin Farrell and the Diagnosis of His Son
Initially, Farrell’s son was incorrectly diagnosed with cerebral palsy. When James was just four, he was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome. Now the Penguin actor is looking to place his son into long-term care, a difficult decision for him and his ex.
James is non-verbal, and his famous parents continued to come together over his care after a tumultuous split. After a long-term struggle with alcoholism and addiction, James significantly influenced his father’s decision to be sober. Concerned about future uncertainties, James’ parents want to make proper arrangements for his care.
A Tricky Decision for Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell admitted the decision was tricky, and indicated respect for parents who want to take care of disabled children themselves. However, he stated, “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?” He added, “Then he’s a ward of the state, and he goes where?”
Concerned about having no say, Farrell and his former partner want to find somewhere for him to go now, while they are still healthy and alive. They are seeking a place where their son can feel connected and have a full and happy life with a sense of community, where they can visit him and spend time together.
No Child or Adult Left Behind
Colin Farrell had previously discussed how turning 21 means children with disabilities typically lose safeguards like special education classes. He does not want his young adult son to be left behind by modern society due to a failure to integrate into a community setting.
A long-term care facility can provide continued socialization and growth for people with diagnoses like Angelman syndrome. Misdiagnosis of the syndrome occurs often as it shares characteristics and symptoms with other disorders like cerebral palsy, autism, and Prader-Willi syndrome. People with Angelman syndrome require lifelong care to live happy and long lives.
