The Banshees of Inisherin star Colin Farrell has opened up about the ‘tricky’ decision to put his son James into a care facility.
Farrell’s elder son, who he welcomed with his ex-partner Kim Bordenave in 2003, has a rare neuro-genetic disorder called Angelman syndrome.
The condition causes severe physical and learning disabilities. Children diagnosed with it tend to have difficulties walking, and may have trouble speaking or never speak at all.
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The NHS writes that people with Angelman syndrome ‘will have a near-normal life expectancy, but they will need support throughout their life.'
Speaking about his son in 2008, Farrell told People: “James is just perfect, to be honest.
“He's nothing but a gift. He's, as far as I'm concerned, exactly the way he should be.”
The 48-year-old movie star has now explained why he think it’s best for James, now 21, to live in a care facility rather than with him or Bordenave.
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He told Candis Magazine: “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?”
The Penguin star said he’s terrified that James would become a ‘ward of the state’ if he and Bordenave died suddenly, and they would have no say over where he lives.
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He continued: “We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected.”
The former couple are currently searching to ‘find somewhere we like where he can go now, while we’re still alive and healthy, that we can go and visit, and we can take him out sometimes.'
Last year, Farrell launched the Colin Farrell Foundation in honour of James, which provides support for children with intellectual disabilities.
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He told People at the time: “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.
“I want the world to be kind to James. I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect."
He said James has ‘worked so hard all his life, so hard.'
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Parenting, TV And Film
Simon Fearn