‘It’s Not A Sad Story’: Colin Farrell Opens Up About Inspirational Special Needs Son James
May 3 2013, Published 1:22 p.m. ET
Colin Farrell’s special needs son James is his greatest inspiration.
The 36-year-old actor, whose son with model Kim Bordenave was born with the rare genetic disorder Angelman Syndrome, opens about how raising his child has been very difficult and frightening at times, but has enlightened his life and inspired him to be a better man – and RadarOnline.com has the details.
“It’s not a sad story because James has a really happy life,” the Irish actor explains in an interview on The Daily Mail. “He’s one of the two greatest things that has happened to me, and there is something a little bit different when your child is born with a level of adversity.
“There’s a deep sense not only of love, but respect, admiration and also fear, because you learn to take nothing for granted.”
Farrell, who is actively involved with the Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics, admits that it’s not always easy with James, but that the entire experience has been positively life changing.
“There have been some tough times — I’ve run through hospital corridors with James in my arms when he was having a seizure — but also some amazing moments. Seeing your child take his first steps is a seminal moment for any parent. But if you’ve been told there’s a chance your child will never walk, those first steps go off into a whole different realm.”
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Farrell, who has another son, Henry, with actress Alicja Bachleda, explains that he loves his kids equally, but in a different way.
“James works really hard in life and is a constant source of inspiration to me. I just adore that little man. I adore Henry, too — just as much as James — but it’s in a different way.”