Hollywood actor Colin Farrell is raising awareness about the uncommon neurological condition Angelman syndrome through a new foundation inspired by his 20-year-old son, James.
The Colin Farrell Foundation will support adult children with intellectual impairments through advocacy and a variety of initiatives, according to Farrell, who spoke with People Magazine in an in-depth interview about his life as a carer for his son.
“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,” he told me. “I speak to James as if he is 20 years old, fluent in English, and has age-appropriate cognitive abilities.
But I can’t get a clear answer from him about whether he’s comfortable with all of this, so I have to make a decision based on knowing James’ spirit, what sort of young man he is, and the goodness that he has in his heart.”
Angelman syndrome can cause walking and balance problems, gastrointestinal troubles, seizures, and limited speech. Other developmental difficulties may become apparent by the age of 6 to 12 months.
Collin Farrell tells People “James is Magical”
Angelman syndrome affects one in every 15,000 live births, or around 500,000 persons worldwide. It shares symptoms and characteristics with various illnesses including as autism, cerebral palsy, and Prader-Willi syndrome, resulting in frequent misdiagnoses.
James “has worked so hard all his life, so hard,” Farrell adds. “Repetition, repetition, balance, and jerky gait. When he first started feeding himself, his visage resembled that of Jackson Pollock towards the end. But he takes everything in and feeds himself well. I’m pleased of him every day, because I believe he’s magical.”
Farrell believes James and others like him have “earned the right to have a greater degree of individuality and autonomy in life, as well as a greater degree of community,” which he aims to nurture through his new organisation.
Colin Farrell came into this world on May 31, 1976, in the Dublin neighbourhood of Castleknock. In 2022, he turned 46 years old.
He was born to Eamon Farrell and Rita (formerly Monaghan). The footballer and health food store owner was his father, Shamrock Rovers FC. Tommy Farrell, his uncle, was a Shamrock Rovers player as too.
Eamon Jr. is his older brother, and Claudine (who is now his PA) and Catherine are his sisters.
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