Colin Farrell has shared an update on his son's battle with the rare Angelman syndrome .
The Hollywood actor got candid in a recent interview about his 20 year old son James and the challenges of the rare neurological disorder . Angelman syndrome is a genetic condition that impacts the nervous system, leading to significant physical and intellectual disabilities.
Despite the near-normal life expectancy for those with Angelman syndrome, continuous support is essential. James, who is non-verbal, will soon face a new reality as Colin revealed that once he turns 21, the existing support systems like special education classes disappear, leaving young adults to fend for themselves in a society that often overlooks them.
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In a heartfelt discussion with People magazine, Colin expressed his concerns: "Once your child turns 21, they're kind of on their own. All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes, that all goes away, so you're left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and more often than not is left behind."
To address this gap, Colin is launching the Colin Farrell Foundation to aid adult children with intellectual disabilities. The acclaimed actor has been contemplating this initiative for "years" and is now ready to take action, reports the Mirror .
Colin has spoken out, reflecting on the hard work of his son James who has "worked so hard all his life, so hard". Describing his perseverance: "Repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I'm proud of him every day, because I just think he's magic."
The star went on to detail that during James's infancy, he missed several developmental milestones which initially resulted in a mistaken cerebral palsy diagnosis when he was just one year old.
It was not until James was two years old that a physician suggested testing him for Angelman syndrome, which is characterized by developmental delays that usually become noticeable at around six to 12 months.
In a move to secure a voice in his well-being, Colin previously sought conservatorship alongside his ex-partner Kim Bordenave in 2021, hoping to oversee James's personal and healthcare-related matters. Their conservatorship petition to the court included requests to make choices about his education and social interactions, including marriage possibilities, access to confidential files, and the authority to consent or decline medical treatments.
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