Colin Farrell, 48, candidly shares reason for putting disabled son, 21, in care as he speaks out on ‘tricky’ decision
Hollywood actor Colin Farrell has revealed he and his ex-partner Kim Bordenave have made the difficult decision to place their 21-year-old son James, who has Angelman syndrome, into long-term care.
The 48-year-old Golden Globe winner shared his heartbreaking reasoning behind the choice in a recent interview with Candis Magazine.
James, who is non-verbal, requires round-the-clock support throughout his life.
“It’s tricky, some parents will say ‘I want to take care of my child myself’ and I respect that,” Farrell explained.
“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?”
“Then he’s a ward of the state and he goes where? We’d have no say in it.”
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Farrell previously shared how James had been misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler.
It wasn’t until James was around two and a half years old that a paediatric neurologist suggested testing for Angelman syndrome, which was confirmed as the correct diagnosis.
According to the NHS, Angelman syndrome is a rare genetic condition that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and learning disabilities.
The condition means James has a near-normal life expectancy but requires lifelong support.
One distinctive characteristic that helped with diagnosis was James’ frequent outbreaks of laughter, which is common in Angelman syndrome.
The condition also causes seizures, though Farrell noted James hasn’t had a breakthrough seizure in about 10 or 11 years.
James faces daily challenges with movement, balance and his “jerky gait”.
Colin and Kim are now actively looking for a suitable facility for James while they are “still alive and healthy” so they can visit him and take him out occasionally.
“We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected,” Farrell said.
He emphasised James needs “a bigger life” with a sense of community, including daily activities like shopping, beach visits, museums and cinema trips.
Farrell and Bordenave dated from 2001 to 2003, with James being born during their relationship.
Despite their separation, the former couple have united in making crucial decisions about their son’s welfare.
In 2021, they jointly filed for conservatorship of James to manage his personal care and medical decisions as he reached adulthood.
Last year, Farrell launched the Colin Farrell Foundation to provide support for adult children with intellectual disabilities.
The actor explained that once James turned 21, he would be “kind of on his own” as the safeguards provided to younger people with disabilities are taken away.
“All the special ed classes, that all goes away,” Farrell told People magazine.
Farrell has spoken movingly about his pride in James’ achievements, including taking his first steps at age four.
“When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully,” Farrell said.
“I’m proud of him every day, because I just think he’s magic.”
The actor has previously credited James with giving him “a desire to live” and inspiring his sobriety.