Things That Bang

For once I have no bitchy comments to pass over a celebrity but express praise and heartfelt admiration. Colin Farrell's 4 year old son has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Four-year-old James was diagnosed with the rare condition Angelman Syndrome before he reached his first birthday.

Reformed wildman Farrell has now chosen to speak out about his son's condition in the hope that it will give inspiration to other parents.

Being a parent I can understand the worries Colin and his ex-girlfriend Kim Bordenave must be going through but Colin expressed that there was no heartbreak and he was incredibly blessed to have his son in his life.

And Farrell was eager to praise the efforts of little James in coping with his disorder, a form of cerebral palsy which is usually characterised by developmental delay, speech impediment and seizures.

'He's broken that barrier and it's about building on that now.'

Parents with special children have a tougher life than parents like us. They have to find more strength and hope in their hearts. They have to help the child feel secure and happy just the way he is. There is so much more that goes into trying to make the family wholesome and happy than anyone of us can imagine.

I didn't want people to think that I was embarrassed by it.
I don't want to be getting up on my high horse but it would be nice if some people read this and were affected by it in a positive way.
I think for people who have children with intellectual disability that me coming out and talking about it might be a small bit of solidarity and if that happens it would be good.'

Kudos to Colin for talking about his son's condition, for showing that there is no stigma attached to having special children and that it is important to show the parents that they aren't alone in their fights.