Colin Farrell was heartbroken when his son James started walking after being diagnosed with Angelman syndrome.
The 48-year-old actor detailed to People magazine the “major” moment, which happened just before James’ fourth birthday.
In an interview for the cover story published Wednesday, the Oscar nominee said the baby’s occupational therapist told Farrell “they have something they want to show you.”
“I knew they were practicing walking and I was standing there and she let him go and he came over to me,” he told media, getting emotional.
“It was so emotional. It was magical,” Pharrell said of the “overwhelmingly beautiful” milestone.
“I’ll never forget the look of determination on his face as he walked towards me,” the Total Recall star continued. “He took about six steps and then I started crying.”
To promote his new foundation, Pharrell revealed rare details about his 21-year-old son, whom he has with ex-wife Kim Bodenave, saying James was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one, which he said has “a lot in common” with Angelman syndrome.
At the time, the toddler was unable to sit or crawl and was in a state of “real anxiety.”
James was correctly diagnosed with the rare neurogenetic condition at the age of two and an emotional Farrell said her son has “tried so hard all his life”.
The Golden Globe nominee became a father with the birth of James in 2003, and then welcomed 14-year-old son Henry with Alicia Bacleda-Krusch six years later.
In May 2021, Farrell and Bordenave filed for guardianship of James.
“When kids turn 21, they’re kind of on their own,” he said Wednesday. “All the safeguards that were put in place are gone, so young people who should be integrating into modern society are left behind.”
The “True Detective” alum founded the Colin Farrell Foundation to combat the issue.
“For many years, I wanted to do something in the area of increasing opportunities for families with children with special needs to get the help they deserve in all areas of their lives,” he said.
Farrell added that James and individuals like him “have earned the right to greater individuality and autonomy in life and greater community.”
