Colin Farrell recently shared the deeply emotional decision he and his ex-partner made to place their 21-year-old son, James, in long-term care. James was born with Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic condition that causes severe developmental delays and requires constant support.
For Colin, this choice was anything but easy. He explained that while many parents want to care for their children themselves, the reality is challenging:
“My horror would be… what if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James’s mother has a car crash… then James is on his own.”
Knowing that James needs ongoing care beyond what they alone can provide, Colin and his family are searching for a facility where James can live happily and feel connected to a community. They want a place where he can have a full and meaningful life, with regular visits and involvement from family.
This experience has also inspired Colin to launch a foundation aimed at supporting adults with intellectual disabilities who “age out” of child-centered care systems at 21, a critical transition many families struggle to manage.
Colin’s honesty and dedication highlight the complex realities faced by families caring for loved ones with special needs — showing that sometimes, the toughest decisions come from a place of love and protection.