Actor Colin Farrell is preparing his son, James, with the necessary tools to navigate adulthood with Angelman Syndrome.
In a new cover story for People, Farrell, who stars in the upcoming HBO thriller The Penguin, revealed that he is launching a foundation to support individuals with intellectual disabilities. His son, James, who is almost 21 years old, has Angelman Syndrome, a condition affecting an estimated 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 people. This syndrome causes developmental delays, limited or no speech, motor instability, and other impairments.
"I want the world to be kind to James,” the actor said. "I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect."
Farrell, who shares James with his ex-partner, model Kim Bordenave, discussed the challenges James faces as he ages out of support programs.
"Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own," Farrell continued. "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."
Farrell is launching the Colin Farrell Foundation to enrich adult children with intellectual disabilities through programs in advocacy, education, and innovation. Public school systems in most states end special educational services end for students when they turn 22.
"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 said.
Although Farrell can speak to his son, the actor cannot "discern a particular answer from him as to whether he’s comfortable with all this or not."
"So I have to make a call based on knowing James’s spirit and what kind of young man he is and the goodness that he has in his heart,” the actor explained.
In 2017, Farrell spoke to TODAY about his advice for parents with disabled children.
"I would humbly say to parents of a child with a recent diagnosis of any disorder that while they may well be experiencing the death of one dream, that dream of having a healthy child, there are a thousand dreams and milestones that are yet to reveal themselves," he told the outlet.
"I would also say that my heart is with you all, along with my respect for you, for your children’s struggles and for the love that you have for your children and that I wish you all peace and support in the face of any adversities."