Colin Farrell has revealed that his four-year-old son James suffers from a rare form of cerebral palsy called Angelman Syndrome. According to Wikipedia, Angelman Syndrome is “characterized by intellectual and developmental delay, speech impediment, sleep disturbance, unstable jerky gait, seizures, hand flapping movements, frequent laughter/smiling and usually a happy demeanor.” Farrell says that he is “incredibly blessed to have him in my life” and that he often only remembers something is wrong with James when he sees his son playing with other children.

“He said that his son had shown ‘amazing courage’ in the first four years of his life and that he is an ‘incredibly happy boy’ despite his condition. Ironically Colin – who has joint custody of James with his mother Kim Bordenave – proudly led the Irish team to Croke Park for the Special Olympics before his son was born. Colin – who has starred in such movies as Miami Vice and Phone Booth – said that James has ‘enriched’ his life ‘incredibly.’ And he said that he is dedicated to helping his son reach his own ‘individual potential’ and to be ‘as happy as he can be.’

“‘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 four-year-olds. 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 actor spoke with pride about the barriers his son has overcome in the first four years of his life – and paid tribute to his ex-girlfriend Kim for being proactive in getting James the early intervention he needs. ‘He took his first steps about six weeks ago and it was four years in the making. 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.’ He’s broken that barrier and its all about building on that now. Although Colin has been juggling a career in Hollywood since he first burst onto the scene in 2003, he is dedicated to spending as much time as possible with his son. Little James has already met with his extended family in Dublin and even Colin’s new girlfriend, Irish student Muireann McDonnell. ‘I have never thought of my son as being someone with a disability. It goes back to special needs and what is a disability and what isn’t.’”

[Form the Ireland Independent]

I have to say, I’ve never really thought of Colin Farrell as this super deep guy, but he’s done a lot of things recently that make me have a lot of respect for him. It sounds like he has an amazing attitude towards his son. He’s not trying to make James something he isn’t, and loves him as he is and just wants him to be as happy as he can be. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be to have a child with cerebral palsy, but it sounds like Colin doesn’t really see it as a heartbreak, and is just glad to have such a great kid. This on top of the helping homeless people makes me have a crush on him all over again.

Picture note by Jaybird: Header image of Colin and James. Thanks to ONYD for the images.