'I almost broke in half when he took his first steps': Colin Farrell opens up on nine-year-old son James' disabilities
|
Colin Farrell says he 'almost broke in half' when his son took his first steps.
The Total Recall actor's eldest child James, nine, suffers from Angelman Syndrome - a neuro-genetic disorder with symptoms including intellectual and developmental disability, seizures, jerky movements and sleep disturbances - and he and the little boy's mother Kim Bordenave delight in his small milestones.
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!'
Doting daddy: Colin Farrell talks about how he has learnt to cope with his nine-year-old son James' disabilities in a new interview, pictured here in December 2009 in Dublin
Colin - who also has son Henry, three, with Alicja Bachleda-Curus - went public with James' condition when the little boy was four years old, and says he was inspired to do so after watching the Paralympic games.
He told the December edition of America's InStyle magazine: '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.
New perspective: Colin also has a three-year-old son Henry, seen here in Los Angeles in September
'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.'
And the 36-year-old actor has been given support in coping with James' problems by the Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).
He said: 'When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone.'
Earlier this year, Farrell revealed how becoming a father gave him a new perspective on life.
The former party boy told the September issue of Men's Health magazine how he is more concerned about healthy living these days - as he wants to live longer and see his sons grow up.
Colin explained: 'What my first son James did was allow me to care for something in this world when I couldn’t care for myself. James saved my life.'
Speaking about his healthy lifestyle compared to his old habits he explained: 'I don’t put the same level of energy into healthy living as I did into unhealthy living.'
On the job: Farrell is currently shooting Winter's Tale in New York, pictured here on location last week
Showbiz Roundup! K-Stew's sheer sexy jumpsuit & Ellen talks to Rihanna's 'HER'!!
- Denny's to charge 5% 'Obamacare surcharge' and cut employee...
- Revealed: FBI Agent Shirtless, the man who emailed topless...
- Husband's horror as he returns home to find his firefighter...
- Almost human: Photographer's intimate studio portraits that...
- 'Stalking Cat' Daniel Avner found dead in 'suicide' after...
- Broadwell's 'threatening' emails to Florida socialite...
- 'Who the hell is this woman?' Army chief reveals how he...
- Hope Solo 'marries' ex-NFL star fiancé hours after his...
- How did she get so close? Faux humility and breathtaking...
- One husband, two wives, 13 children: At home with the Mormon...
- Planet fantastic: Stunning images of the world's most...
- Paula Broadwell 'pictured at Petraeus event AFTER they...
What does he mean when he says being able to feed oneself at 19? Is he thinking his son won't be able to do that for another 10 years or did he mean to say 9? I'm confused. - Pak31, USA, 15/11/2012 18:40 Or maybe the DM mistakenly put a 1 in front of the 9. Didn't take much to work that one out!
- Sharon , York, United Kingdom, 15/11/2012 23:58
Report abuse