Irish actor Colin Farrell, whose 20-year-old son James has the rare neurogenetic disorder Angelman syndrome, has launched a new foundation for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Colin Farrell Foundation aims to provide support for adult children who have intellectual disabilities through advocacy, education, and innovative programs.
Dublin native Colin has long been an advocate for not only the Angelman community but the wider intellectual disability community - in 2003, he walked with athletes in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland and has since become a passionate spokesperson, supporter, and advocate for the athletes and the organization.
His newly launched Foundation says: "Inspired by his two sons, Colin is excited and deeply humbled by the hope that the Colin Farrell Foundation can help those who the larger systems of governance have neglected."
In a recent interview from his home in Los Angeles, Colin told People that he is privileged to be able to provide in-home care for James, his son who is about to turn 21 whom he shares with Kim Bordenave.
He went on to explain his reasoning for launching his new Foundation: "For years, I've wanted to do something in the realm of providing greater opportunities for families who have a child with special needs, to receive the support that they deserve, to receive assistance in life - whether it's in education, whether it's in intervention, therapeutics, social environment that the child can feel that they belong within - and just so that families who have a child with special needs can find a world of meaning and a life of connection for their children.
"I, obviously, have a certain amount of means having had a career in film for 20-plus years now, and we still struggle in finding the kind of support that James deserves and should rightfully have."
Colin said there are systems across the country that vary state by state, "But once your child turns 21, they're kind of on their own.
"All the safeguards that are put in place, all the inclusive programs, special ed classes, that all kind of goes away once your child turns 21.
"So you're left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society here and very much, more often than not, is left behind and so families struggle."
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Colin said the reason behind establishing his Foundation now is because James is approaching the age of 21 and while he's "really well-adjusted" and "really happy," Colin and his family are "looking toward the rest of his life - what's the next chapter of James's life look like?"
The Irish actor explained how he fears that if something happened to him or James's mother Kim, James would be put into an institute or residential care and that "there'd be nobody there to call over and to take him out and to have lunch, and all that.
"But there's very, very few places and so I want to change that and I want to be part of the great team that we have behind this Foundation already."
Colin continued: "Hopefully over time, over the years, I hope, through funding and through community involvement, we want to take a good look at residential potential for families with young adults who are ready to go out into the world and have a greater sense of community and connection."
Colin explained that his initial dream was to create a camp, something in the vein of what "beautiful Paul Newman did" that would be family-oriented, permitting parents and siblings to get some rest and relaxation.
Building a summer camp, Colin said, will be a part of the Foundation as well.
"That will be a big one for me to leave behind - and it's all because of James, it's all in James's honor."
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