Colin Farrell: “Incredibly Blessed” With Special Needs Son
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Actor Colin Farrell is opening up for the first time about his son, James, who was born with Angelman Syndrome, a form of cerebral palsy which affects one in 12,000 people and leaves those whom it affects with speech delays and impediments, developmental delays, and seizures. In an interview, he shares about life with the son he loves:
He said that his son had shown “amazing courage†in the first four years of his life and that he is an “incredibly happy boy†despite his condition. [...]
â€With my son the only time I’m reminded that there is something different about him – that he has some deviation of what is perceived to be normal – is when I see him with other four-year-olds.
“Then I go “oh yeah†and it comes back to me. But from day one I felt that he’s the way he’s meant to be.†[...]
“He took his first steps about six weeks ago and it was four years in the making. All the work is his, he worked his arse off for four years.â€
“And when he took the first steps it was incredibly emotional, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.â€
Colin became involved with Special Olympics shortly before his son was born and recently was an ambassador at the Special Olympics in China. He speaks of the irony of being involved with Special Olympics before his son was born, not knowing what was about to happen:
The irony of having a child with special needs – months after becoming involved in the Special Olympics and being faced with the same challenges – is not lost on the actor.
But, he is adamant that anyone who has a disability can still contribute to society and have a full and happy life.
“Its mad the way the world works. It’s bizarre. I experienced the overwhelming effect of being around those athletes pretty much just before my son was born with special needs.
“I have never thought of my son as being someone with a disability. It goes back to special needs and what is a disability and what isn’tâ€.
He is dedicated to being in his son’s life as much as possible, and James has spent time with Colin’s extended family and his new girlfriend in Dublin. He also talks about James’ mother, American model Kim Bordenave, and about the occasional frustration of dealing with a child who’s needs are different than most:
[...] Farrell was quick to praise the efforts of his ex-girlfriend, with whom he now shares a close relationship after some much-publicised animosity when the couple split before the birth of James.
‘His mother has done a great job, exploring every avenue, being very hands-on and making his life as rich as possible. She’s a wonderful girl.’
Farrell, who has had roles in hit film such as Minority Report and Miami Vice, told the Sunday World that although his son cannot speak, he still interacts in other ways.
‘His speech is affected, he’s four and he’s not really talking yet but he makes the most delectable sounds in the world. You couldn’t get a sound as good from a garden of f***ing birds.’
However, the actor made it clear that James still struggles to grasp basic communication skills.
‘But he’s not speaking which is very frustrating for him. A lot of my frustration comes from wondering how frustrated he is and at times he does get frustrated.
‘He can’t explain how he feels or what’s going on or maybe he wants something and he can’t tell you what he wants. We’re working on that.’
All too often, we think of the Colin Farrells of the world as being just actors, even hot-tempered ones, and we don’t stop to consider that they have ups and downs and heartaches and joys just like the rest of us.  Money and fame can’t buy everything, and the happiness of this little boy does not seem to be tied to his famous father’s checkbook. It’s just a story about a son and his father, and the love they have for one another.
And you know what else strikes me? The willingness of these two parents, although they are not a couple any longer, to work together for the good of their son. They have put aside any personal differences and have made James the most important thing in their lives, and that is what it is all about. It isn’t about the parents, it is about the kids…and I commend these two for realizing that and putting it into practice.
Britney and Kevin, are you listening?
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