Actor Colin Farrell is used to the media spotlight. In fact, the movie star use to revel in his reputation for being one of Tinseltown’s hard-core party boys. Which is why when news broke that Farrell had fathered a boy with his ex-girlfriend no one really expected him to cut-back on his nightly appearances at various Hollywood hot spots. After all, he had admitted in more than one interview that it was in his Irish blood to have a good time no matter where he was.
That being said many of Farrell’s fans were quite shocked when the actor fell off the Hollywood party scene radar shortly after his son was born. Interestingly, Farrell rarely spoke about his son in public. (Interesting, because most first parents speak of little else than their newborns.) Now, we know why.
Four years after the birth of his son James, Farrell is finally opening up about why he kept mum about the boy for so long. In an interview with the Irish Independent the actor reveals that his son was born with a rare neuro-genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome. However, Farrell is quick to point out that despite his son’s daily battles with the disease, James is a brave and happy child.
“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 4-year-olds. Then I go, ‘Oh yeah,’ and it comes back to me,” Farrell tells the newspaper. “But from day one I felt that he’s the way he’s meant to be.”
Farrell says James has given his life new meaning and he says he marvels at the “amazing courage” his young son displays each day.
“[I’m] incredibly blessed to have him in my life,” Farrell says.
The 31-year-old actor says he couldn’t have been more pleased to witness a recent (and significant) milestone in James’ life.
“He took his first steps about six weeks ago, and it was four years in the making,” Farrell says. “It was incredibly emotional. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
The actor says shortly after his son’s diagnosis he got a crash course in Angelman Syndrome, which is characterized by developmental delay, speech impairment, movement or balance disorder, excessive laughter and even seizures. Farrell says despite his son’s special needs he refuses to characterize the condition as a disability.
What do you think about Farrell’s decision to speak to the media about his son’s diagnosis?
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