Being a loving father to his 21-year-old son James has always been Colin Farrell’s most significant role, which he has carried out with quiet pride.

The 48-year-old Irish celebrity recently revealed a very intimate choice that moved people all across the world. The choice must have been difficult because it involves his cherished son.

Read on to find out more.

Award-winning actor Colin Farrell led a group of athletes into Croke Park’s stadium in June 2003 for the 2003 Special Olympics opening ceremony.

The 48-year-old Farrell tells the Irish Independent, “We were at our best.” They were the story’s main characters. I have never had an experience like that anywhere in the world.

He had no idea that he would soon become the father of a child with special needs at that time.

Almost a decade ago, Irish actor Colin Farrell led athletes into Los Angeles Coliseum for the 2015 #SpecialOlympics World Summer Games Opening Ceremony. In 2003, his son James was born with Angelman Syndrome. Read more: https://t.co/1s1lBYtSzw #ChooseToInclude pic.twitter.com/iwUk5LUqAn

— Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) August 7, 2024

“Calm down, baby.”

The Gentlemen star and his ex-girlfriend, model Kim Bordenave, welcomed James into the world on September 12, 2003.

He will always be aware of his father. In 2004, Farrell told the Irish Examiner, “Being a father is the ultimate success for me.”

James’s parents realized he “just wasn’t hitting benchmarks” by the time he was around 18 months old.

The actor from In Bruges remarked, “I thought he was just a chill baby.” He wasn’t crawling or sitting up. We were aware that there was a developmental problem.

Syndrome of Angelman

Farrell disclosed in 2007 that his son, who had previously been misdiagnosed as having cerebral palsy, had been given an Angelman syndrome diagnosis.

Angelman syndrome is an uncommon disorder that results in “delayed development, problems with speech and balance, mental disability, and, sometimes, seizures,” according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the clinic, symptoms include intellectual disability, limited or nonexistent speech, and trouble walking. No remedy exists.

“I recall asking the first two questions, ‘How much pain is involved and what is the life expectancy?'” Farrell clarified. “And the doctor said, ‘As far as we can tell, you and I have the same life expectancy, and no, pain.'”

It appears to be Tom Selleck.

James turned 21 in September 2024.

The Batman actor tells the Irish Independent, “He’s smart, bold, cheeky, and he knows exactly what he wants.” He’s six feet and strong now. He used to be like a beanpole, but now he’s a little more mature and has a cute, large moustache. He reminds me of Tom Selleck! Additionally, he is doing very well, and I am thrilled that he is now prepared to leave the house and start to broaden his horizons.

The Colin Farrell Foundation was established by the actor from The Lobster to support his son as he gains more independence. Its mission is to change “the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy, and innovative programs.”

Your child is essentially on their own after they turn 21. The Miami Vice star told People in 2024 that he wants the “world to be kind to James” and treat him with respect, saying that all the safeguards that are put in place, including special education classes, disappear.

Making plans for the future

The actor was hands-on for more than 20 years, feeding, changing diapers, and going to all of the therapy sessions.

In a separate interview, the actor told People, “I’ve put Diastat, a sedative also known as Valium, up his rectum to get him out of a seizure that lasted longer than three minutes.” “It’s really difficult to find the right dosage of medication without experiencing any negative side effects.”

In a recent interview with Candis magazine, the devoted father also disclosed that he and Bordenave had decided to put James in long-term care, which was a devastating decision.

According to the Independent, Farrell stated, “It’s tricky – some parents will say, ‘I want to take care of my child myself,’ and I respect that.” He also added that the decision to seek long-term care was motivated by foresight rather than exhaustion. However, I’m terrified of what might happen if I had a heart attack tomorrow and, heaven forbid, James’ mother, Kim, was involved in a car accident and killed, leaving James alone.

James would then become “a ward of the state,” according to Farrell, who also added, “And he goes where? We wouldn’t have a voice.

Now, while we’re still alive and well, Farrell and his ex-partner are searching for “somewhere we like, where he can go now, that we can go and visit, and we can take him out sometimes.”

“We want him to find a place where he feels connected and can live a full and happy life,” Farrell said. “By taking the van out every day, going to the grocery store, and shopping together.” By visiting museums, the beach, movies, and so forth. Simply a life that is connected.

Farrell is stepping up to provide his son with the care he needs by putting James in long-term care; he is not stepping away. An often-overlooked fact is highlighted by the decision: loving someone entails making sure they’re in the best hands, even if those hands aren’t yours.