Colin Farrell Talks About 20-Year-Old Son James' Battle with Angelman Syndrome, a Rare Neurogenetic Disorder

Colin Farrell is opening up about his 20-year-old son James‘ battle with Angelman syndrome, which is a rare neurogenetic disorder.

The 48-year-old actor has launched The Colin Farrell Foundation and he’s talking about his son’s diagnosis for the first time.

“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,” Colin told People.

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He added, “I mean, I can. I speak to James as if he’s 20 and has perfect fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive ability. But I can’t 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.”

Colin shares James with his ex, model Kim Bordenave, and he’s opening up about how his son will age out of support systems when he turns 21 in September. The actor hopes his new foundation will help support adults with intellectual disabilities.

“Once your child turns 21, they’re kind of on their own,” he said. “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.”

Colin also talked about the “guilt” he experiences whenever he does something “nice” for himself.

“It’s so all-encompassing that if you do something nice for yourself, or give yourself a massage, or go on a little two-day road trip with your husband or your wife, you feel like you’re being irresponsible, you feel like you’re neglecting your child,” he said.

You can donate now at ColinFarrellFoundation.org.