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Topics: TV And Film, Parenting, Entertainment, Celebrity
Kya Buller
Topics: TV And Film, Parenting, Entertainment, Celebrity
The Banshees of Inisherin star Colin Farrell has spoken about his son, James, in a rare interview.
James, 20, has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder that 'affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and learning disabilities'.
"A person with Angelman syndrome will have a near-normal life expectancy, but they will need support throughout their life." the NHS says.
James, who Farrell shares with ex, model Kim Bordenave, is also non-verbal and has a live-in caretaker.
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And recently, the star spoke about how he wants people to treat James as he enters adulthood.
Speaking to People in an interview published today (7 August), Farrell said: "I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect."
In the same interview, the actor also announced the launch of The Colin Farrell Foundation, which aims to support adult children living with intellectual disabilities through advocacy, education and innovative programs.
He said of the initiative: "For years [I] wanted to do something in the realm of providing greater opportunities for families who have a child with special needs, to receive the support that they deserve, basically the assistance in all areas of life."
Farrell added: "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."
He mentioned that his son has 'worked so hard all his life, so hard.'
"This is the first time I've spoken about it, and obviously the only reason I'm speaking is I can't ask James if he wants to do this." the Alexander star said.
"I mean, I can. I speak to James as if he's 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability.
"But I can't discern a particular answer from him as to whether he's comfortable with all this or not, so I have to make a call based on knowing James's spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart."
Farrell went on to share his feelings of pride towards his son.
He continued: "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."
As for why creating the foundation is such an important endeavour, Farrell says: "If James knew getting his photograph in the back garden with me, which is not my favourite thing to do, if us doing this could help families and other young adults who live with special needs, he would say, ‘Dad, what are you talking about? Why are you even asking me? It’s a no-brainer."
He concluded: "So that’s why we’re doing it. This is all because of James - it’s all in his honour.”