Colin Farrell Opens Up About His Heartbreaking Decision to Put Disabled Son into Long-Term Care
The Daily Mail has learned that Colin Farrell, the 48-year-old actor, has made a difficult decision to put his 21-year-old disabled son, James, into a long-term care facility. James, who suffers from Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the nervous system, will receive the care and support he needs in the facility. According to an interview with Candis Magazine, Colin and his ex-partner, Kim Bordenave, made the decision to ensure James receives the best possible care while they are still alive.
Colin, who shares James with Kim, 52, revealed that his son was initially misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy before doctors confirmed he had Angelman syndrome. The Daily Mail reported that Angelman syndrome is a rare neuro-genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and intellectual disability. Colin expressed his concerns about James’s future, stating, “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?”
The actor emphasized the importance of having control over James’s care while they are still alive, saying, “We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected.” According to the Daily Mail, Colin and Kim are searching for a suitable facility where James can receive the care and support he needs.
Colin also opened up about James’s diagnosis, revealing that he and Kim sought medical advice after James missed developmental milestones and struggled to sit up or crawl as a baby. The Daily Mail reported that a pediatric neurologist suggested testing James for Angelman syndrome when he was about two and a half years old. Colin recalled, “I remember the first two questions I asked were, ‘What’s the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?’ And the doctor said, ‘Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no.'”
The actor has been open about the challenges of caring for James, who is nonverbal and requires the help of a live-in caregiver to accomplish his day-to-day tasks. According to the Daily Mail, Colin and Kim have been working to ensure James receives the best possible care, including sharing in the smallest victories and enjoying milestones, such as James’s first words at age six and being able to feed himself at 19.
Colin’s decision to put James into long-term care has been made out of love and a desire to ensure his son receives the best possible care. The Daily Mail reported that Colin is launching the Colin Farrell Foundation to provide support, education, and advocacy for adults with intellectual disabilities. As Colin stated, “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.”
In an interview with People, Colin shared a heartwarming moment when James took his first steps, saying, “I knew they [James’s carers] were working on walking. And I stood over there, and she let him go, and he just came to [me]. It was so profound. It was magic.” The actor has expressed his pride in James, stating, “He’s worked so hard all his life, so hard.”
As reported by the Daily Mail, Colin’s love and dedication to his son are evident, and his decision to put James into long-term care is a testament to his commitment to ensuring James receives the best possible care. The actor has shown that he is willing to do whatever it takes to support James, including sharing his story to raise awareness about Angelman syndrome and the challenges faced by families with children with special needs.
In conclusion, Colin Farrell’s decision to put his disabled son into long-term care is a heartbreaking one, but it is clear that he has made this decision out of love and a desire to ensure James receives the best possible care. As reported by the Daily Mail, Colin’s story is a testament to the challenges faced by families with children with special needs, and his dedication to supporting James is inspiring.
Source link
