By ANP··Amended:
RTL
Colin Farrell has set up his own foundation to support children with the same condition as his son James, Angelman syndrome. The actor announced this in an interview with the American magazine PEOPLE.
“Once your child turns 21, they’re pretty much on their own,” Farrell says of kids like James. “All the safety measures that are in place, special classes, all that goes away. So you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society, but more often than not, they fall by the wayside.”
James is 20 and the deadline mentioned by Farrell is approaching. Due to Angelman syndrome, the brain is not properly developed and a lot of support is needed, which the actor wants to help with with his foundation. “I wanted to do something for years in the area of offering opportunities for families who have a child with special needs,” says Farrell. “So that they get the support they deserve. Actually support in all areas of life.”
Even though James can’t talk, Farrell thinks that if he knew they could “help families and other young adults with special needs, he would say, ‘Dad, what are you talking about? Why are you even asking me? It’s a no-brainer.’ That’s why we’re doing it. This is all about James — it’s all in his honor.”
