Colin Farrell shares 'horror' that led to decision to put son, 21, in care

Dublin actor Colin Farrell has candidly revealed the heart-wrenching decision he faced for his 21-year -old son's future, admitting that he had to place him in a facility for long-term care. The star, known for his Hollywood roles, shared that his son James was initially misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy. After laying to rest his father, Eamon Farrell, last weekend in Dublin, Colin spoke on the ordeal of the wrong diagnosis, which was eventually corrected when doctors realised James actually battles Angelman syndrome. This genetic disorder leads to significant physical and developmental disabilities, the HSE outlines. The HSE explains that usually those with Angelman syndrome can expect to live a normal lifespan; however, they will need ongoing support. At age 48, Colin and his ex-partner Kim Bordenave came to terms with the tough call of arranging lasting care for their son James, who is nonverbal. The renowned actor discussed their decision-making process, highlighting his concerns about the possible consequences if they didn't sort out proper arrangements for James. "It's tricky, some parents will say 'I want to take care of my child myself' and I respect that," Farrell remarked. He went on to share his deepest fear: "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?", reports the Irish Mirror. In a heartfelt chat with Candis Magazine, the actor from The Penguin shared: "Then he's a ward of the state and he goes where? We'd have no say in it." Colin and Kim are taking proactive steps to ensure their son's future care while they can still make decisions, aiming to find a place where they can be involved in his life through regular visits and outings. He said: "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected." The Irish star previously opened up about the challenges faced due to James' initial misdiagnosis. Speaking candidly to PEOPLE Magazine, Colin detailed the confusion surrounding his son's condition, saying: "[James] couldn't sit up. He wasn't crawling. It was only when he was around a year and a half that we had him thoroughly checked out, and he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy." Colin Farrell's son James. (Image: Instagram) Cerebral palsy is a term for various permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood, often caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain, as noted on the HSE website. Colin remarked: "It was a common misdiagnosis, because it shared a lot of the same characteristics. And that was a downer for sure." It was only when James was around two-and-a-half years old that he was correctly diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, following a paediatric neurologist's advice to get tested. Colin shared the first two questions he asked the doctors: "I remember the first two questions I asked were, 'What's the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?'," Colin said. "And the doctor said, 'Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no.'". Last year, Colin Farrell took a significant step by setting up the Colin Farrell Foundation to support adult children with intellectual disabilities. At the launch, he spoke about his personal motivation as his son James neared adulthood, voicing concerns over the loss of protections for those with disabilities once they turn 21. Farrell explained that the idea for the foundation had been in the works for some time, and it was finally time to make it happen. James was the catalyst for Colin's life-altering decision to get sober. James Farrell and mum Kim Bordenave. (Image: Instagram) After battling alcoholism and addiction, Farrell told the Mirror in 2006 about his renewed love for life: "I have a new-found appreciation for my life I wasn't suicidal but I never had much of a will to live a long time." He continued: "Now I want to watch my son grow up, be his friend and his father, and hang around with him. So he's the greatest priority in my life." Reflecting on his decision to speak out about James' condition, Farrell shared a touching moment: "It was at the Special Olympics in Shanghai in 2007 that I decided, after consulting with James' mother, that I wanted to talk publicly about the pride and joy I had in our son. He has enriched my life, but I don't want to minimise the trials that so many families go through; the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain... When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone." In a candid interview with InStyle in 2012, he said: "We share in the smallest victories; the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19, and getting the seizures under control. When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!". Colin, alongside his ex-partner Kim, sought legal authority over their son James in 2021, aiming to manage his personal wellbeing and medical decisions. They requested the court to grant them oversight of James' education, social life, and personal relationships, including the power to consent to marriage, access confidential records, and make healthcare determinations. Colin Farrell with his son James in Dublin in 2009. (Image: FilmMagic) Colin opened up even more last year to PEOPLE when he highlighted how hard James has worked throughout his life. Detailing his perseverance, Farrell noted: "Repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he began to self-feed, his face would end resembling something out of a Jackson Pollock masterpiece by meal's end. But down it goes, and he feeds himself splendidly. There's this fierce pride I feel every day, for I reckon he's just splendid." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.

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