Colin Farrell and his ex Kim Bordenave have made the difficult decision to place their 21-year-old son James, who has Angelman syndrome, in a long-term care facility. The Irish actor explained that he wanted to find a place where James, who is non-verbal, "can have a full and happy life" in case, God forbid, he and Kim were no longer around to care for him themselves.
James was misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy before he was eventually diagnosed with Angelman syndrome when he was just over two years old. Colin described the misdiagnosis as a "downer," but their saving grace was when a doctor noticed an unusual symptom in James that prompted him to test for Angelman syndrome. Speaking to PEOPLE, the actor said: "One of the characteristics of Angelman syndrome is outbreaks of laughter. And the doctor saw that James was laughing a lot and doing this movement [waving his hands]."
Those with Angelman syndrome also suffer from seizures, which Colin said is "one of the things that parents struggle with greatly." He added: "Thankfully, James hasn't had a breakthrough seizure now in about 10 or 11 years, but I've been in the back of ambulances, I've been in the hospital with him."
Angelman syndrome, also known as happy puppet syndrome, is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system and causes severe intellectual disability. It's caused by a lack of function of part of chromosome 15, typically due to a new mutation rather than an inherited one. Symptoms generally present themselves in children by the time they're a year old.
Colin previously spoke of not initially realizing that James had been born with Angelman syndrome. Before the diagnosis, he thought he had "hit the lottery" as James was so quiet, mistaking his silence for being a "chill" kid. "If James had been my second child and not my first, I would’ve known sooner, because when Henry was born and I heard him cooing, I was like, 'a baby’s supposed to coo?',' Colin remembered.
After being originally misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, James was confirmed to have Angelman syndrome when he was about two-and-a-half. Doctors assured Colin that his eldest son would have the same life expectancy as the average person and wouldn't be in any pain. Colin and James, 21, have a very close bond. The actor credits his eldest son with saving his life during a time when he was excessively drinking and taking other substances.
In August 2024, Colin established the Colin Farrell Foundation, which is designed to help adults with intellectual disabilities, as an ode to his son James. He has openly discussed the challenges of parenting a child with special needs, particularly as James approaches adulthood.
In an interview with Candis Magazine, Colin described the decision to place James in care as "tricky." He said, "It's tricky; 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?"
Colin expressed concerns about what would happen to James if they did not make arrangements for his care. He emphasized the importance of finding a facility where James could thrive and be surrounded by a supportive community. "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected," he said.
Colin also reflected on the moment he watched James walk for the first time, a significant milestone for both father and son. "I knew they [James’s carers] were working on walking," the actor shared. "And I stood over there, and she let him go, and he just came to [me]. It was so profound. It was magic. I'll never forget just the face of determination on him as he walked toward me. He took, like, six steps, and I burst into tears."
As James approaches adulthood, Colin has been vocal about the loss of protections for individuals with disabilities once they turn 21. "Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own," he told PEOPLE. "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."
In 2024, Colin also sought conservatorship over James, hoping to oversee his personal wellbeing and make medical choices for him. This included managing his social interactions and educational choices, a move that highlights the complexities of navigating care for a child with special needs.
Colin's heartfelt commitment to James and advocacy for individuals with disabilities has resonated widely, showcasing the challenges faced by many families. He has expressed pride in his son, describing him as "magic" and emphasizing the need for kindness and understanding from the world around them.
As Colin and Kim navigate this difficult transition for James, they remain focused on ensuring he has a fulfilling life, filled with love and support.
