Colin Farrell Speaks Out About Son's Special Needs Condition

(wireimage.com)

Colin Farrell’s 4-year-old son, James, was born with Angelman Syndrome, a rare form of cerebral palsy, the actor revealed for the first time to the Irish Independent. The disorder retards neurological and motor development, but despite this, James is an “incredibly happy boy” who has “enriched” the 31-year-old actor’s life.

“With my son 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,” Colin says. “Then I go, ‘Oh yeah,’ and it comes back to me. But from day one I felt that he's the way he's meant to be."

The proud papa adds that he feels “incredibly blessed” to have James in his life and credits James’ mother, ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave, with whom he shares custody, for seeking early treatment. All of the time and dedication paid off recently when James achieved a historic milestone.

“He took his first steps about six weeks ago and it was four years in the making,” the star says. “All the work is his, he worked his arse off for four years. And when he took the first steps it was incredibly emotional, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.”

A Special Olympics advocate who worked with the Irish team just months before his son’s birth, Colin is adamant about the classification of James’ condition.

“I have never thought of my son as being someone with a disability,” he says. “It goes back to special needs and what is a disability and what isn't.”

Click here for more on Angelman Syndrome.