Colin Farrell Begins Basis in Honor of Son, 20, Who Has Angelman Syndrome (Unique)

Colin Farrell‘s home is full of a bustle and din that’s removed from the actor’s consolation zone.

As pictures and video groups scurry concerning the hillside house in Los Angeles, Farrell, 48, is maintaining tabs on his son James, 20, who has Angelman syndrome, a uncommon neurogenetic dysfunction. James, who’s nonverbal, is sitting within the yard enjoying catch together with his live-in caregiver. He makes eye contact with a journalist standing close by and instantly throws the miniature basketball in her path to incorporate her in his sport.

James’ eyes mild up when he spots Farrell, nevertheless it’s nothing compared with the noticeable swell in his dad’s chest when these round them reply so sweetly to his son. “I need the world to be sort to James,” the actor tells PEOPLE. “I need the world to deal with him with kindness and respect.”

And that, finally, is the driving pressure behind Farrell’s determination to open up his house and discuss in-depth about his life together with his son for the primary time. Turning 21 in September, James (whom Farrell shares with an ex, mannequin Kim Bordenave) will age out of most of the help techniques offered for households with youngsters who’ve particular wants.

“As soon as your baby turns 21, they’re form of on their very own,” Farrell says. “All of the safeguards which are put in place, particular ed courses, that each one goes away, so you’re left with a younger grownup who ought to be an built-in a part of our fashionable society and most of the time is left behind.”

For extra of Farrell’s unique interview, choose up this week’s difficulty of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday.

To assist bridge that hole, the actor is now launching the Colin Farrell Basis to offer help for grownup kids who’ve mental disabilities by advocacy, training and revolutionary applications. “That is the primary time I’ve spoken about it, and clearly the one purpose I’m talking is I can’t ask James if he desires to do that,” he says.

“I imply, I can. I communicate to James as if he’s 20 and has good fluency with the English language and age-appropriate cognitive capacity. However I can’t discern a specific reply from him as as to if he’s comfy with all this or not, so I’ve to make a name primarily based on figuring out James’s spirit and what sort of younger man he’s and the goodness that he has in his coronary heart.”

James “has labored so laborious all his life, so laborious,” Farrell provides. “Repetition, repetition, steadiness, his jerky gait. When he began feeding himself for the primary time, his face appears like a Jackson Pollock by the tip of it. However he will get it in, he feeds himself superbly. I’m pleased with him on daily basis, as a result of I simply suppose he’s magic.”

As for the muse, Farrell has “for years wished to do one thing within the realm of offering better alternatives for households who’ve a toddler with particular wants, to obtain the help that they deserve, mainly the help in all areas of life,” he says.

James, and people like him, have “earned the precise to have a better diploma of individuality and autonomy on life, and a better diploma of group.”

For now, the actor chooses to imagine “that if James knew getting his {photograph} within the again backyard with me, which isn’t my favourite factor to do, if us doing this might assist households and different younger adults who stay with particular wants, he would say, ‘Dad, what are you speaking about? Why are you even asking me? It’s a no brainer,’ ” Farrell provides. “In order that’s why we’re doing it. That is all due to James— it’s all in his honor.”

For extra info or study how one can supply help, go to www.colinfarrellfoundation.org.