Advertisement

Colin Farrell says his special-needs son James taking his first steps was 'monumental'


Parents often speak of their joy at seeing their babies growing up and getting their first tooth or saying their first words.

But it’s not exageration to say that for Irish actor Colin Farrell and his former partner Kim Bordenave, watching their son James walk for the first time was a “monumental” experience that they will never take for granted.

Colin has recalled when his son took his first steps aged four, after being warned by doctors that the little boy with special needs may never walk.

The star’s 13-year-old son suffers from the incurable, neuro-genetic disorder Angelman syndrome, which stunts development and causes seizures, jerky movements and sleeping problems.

Speaking about his new role playing a father-of-two who is forced to make a life-changing decision for his family in ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ opposite Nicole Kidman, Colin recalled his family’s personal experience.

Colin Farrell recalls ‘monumental’ moment with son who has rare genetic disorder (ABC News)
Colin Farrell recalls ‘monumental’ moment with son who has rare genetic disorder (ABC News)

He said: ‘People talk about the children taking the first step. It’s obviously a monumental moment and it’s been represented in film. Parents get p****d when they miss it. Or they’re at work and they get a call.

‘But to be told your child may never take the first step and then see those first steps is just kind of a different sport all together.

‘When my first born, James took his first steps, a couple weeks short of his fourth birthday, it was pretty amazing and humbling to see. He has special needs, so seeing the amount of work that went into that…’ he said to PEOPLE.

Farrell with son James in 2009. Born in 2003, James has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a severe, genetic developmental disorder. Second son Henry was born in 2009.
Farrell with son James in 2009. Born in 2003, James has been diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a severe, genetic developmental disorder. Second son Henry was born in 2009.

Colin rose to fame in the popular TV series Ballykissangel and has dated a string of famous women, including Britney Spears.

But he recently admitted that being a father is the most important job in the world to him now.

The former hell-raiser – who also has seven-year-old Henry with his former partner, Alicja Bachleda-Curus – said: ‘It’s hard for me to relate to that chapter of my life.

‘My children keep me grounded. And I’m devoted to being the best possible father to them. A lot of my attitudes in life have changed. And I’ve learnt that your family and your children are the emotional ties that matter most to you.’

‘We share in the smallest victories – the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself and getting the seizures under control.’

READ MORE

Rihanna wants to travel back in time to before she lost her virginity
Taylor Swift’s revenge video: All the hidden messages
Coleen Nolan defends Wayne Rooney but insists he needs therapy – EXCLUSIVE

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.