Colin Farrell has spoken about the extremely difficult decision of placing his 21-year-old son, James, into a long-term care facility. He once revealed his son had been incorrectly diagnosed with cerebral palsy, before doctors identified the correct diagnosis of Angelman syndrome, as detailed by the NHS – a rare genetic disorder that impacts the nervous system, leading to significant physical and learning disabilities. An individual with Angelman syndrome usually enjoys a near-average life expectancy and requires continuous support. At 48, Colin, along with his ex-partner Kim Bordenave , has concluded that it's in James', who is non-verbal, best interest to transition into a care home. Discussing the resolution, the acclaimed actor expressed his concerns over future uncertainties without proper arrangements for James. Colin explained: "It's tricky, some parents will say 'I want to take care of my child myself' and I respect that," but then added the fear that drives his action: "But my horror would be... What if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James' mother, Kim, has a car crash and she's taken too – and then James is on his own?". In an interview with Candis Magazine, the star of The Batman went on to express his anxieties over such outcomes: "Then he's a ward of the state and he goes where? We'd have no say in it." Colin and Kim are therefore keen on securing a suitable place for James so they can regularly visit and spend time with him while they are still able-bodied, reports the Mirror . He shared: "We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected." Last summer, Colin opened up about the impact of James' misdiagnosis. Colin explained that the syndrome is often mistaken for cerebral palsy because they share similar symptoms. In an intimate conversation with PEOPLE Magazine, the star revealed: "[James] couldn't sit up. He wasn't crawling. "I think he was a year and a half when we took him to get really checked out, and he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy." Cerebral palsy refers to a group of permanent conditions affecting movement and coordination, caused by brain issues that occur before, during, or shortly after birth, as per the NHS website. Colin added: "It was a common misdiagnosis, because it shared a lot of the same characteristics. And that was a downer for sure." It was only when James reached two and a half years old that a paediatric neurologist suggested testing for Angelman syndrome, which led to the correct diagnosis. Following this revelation, Colin admitted he had two pressing questions for the doctors. "I remember the first two questions I asked were, 'What's the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?'," Colin recounted. "And the doctor said, 'Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no.'". Last year, the actor established the Colin Farrell Foundation to offer assistance to adult children with intellectual disabilities. At the launch, he highlighted the challenges faced by individuals like his son James, who, upon turning 21, would be "kind of on his own" as all the safeguards that are provided to younger people with disabilities are taken away. He shared that the idea for the foundation had been brewing for several years and felt it was the appropriate moment to bring it to fruition. Colin and his former partner Kim welcomed their son James in 2003. Despite a tumultuous relationship even before James's birth, they have since united for the sake of their child. James was a significant influence on Colin's decision to embrace sobriety after a long struggle with alcoholism and addiction. In a candid conversation with the Mirror in 2006, he disclosed: "I have a new-found appreciation for my life I wasn't suicidal but I never had much of a will to live a long time. "Now I want to watch my son grow up, be his friend and his father, and hang around with him. So he's the greatest priority in my life." Colin also spoke about his choice to speak openly about James' condition, stating: "It was at the Special Olympics in Shanghai in 2007 that I decided, after consulting with James' mother, that I wanted to talk publicly about the pride and joy I had in our son. "He has enriched my life, but I don't want to minimise the trials that so many families go through; the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain... When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone." Speaking to InStyle in 2012, he shared: "We share in the smallest victories; the first words at age six or seven, being able to feed oneself at 19, and getting the seizures under control. When James took his first steps at age four, I nearly broke in half!". Colin had previously sought conservatorship for James, alongside his ex Kim in 2021, to manage his personal care and medical decisions. They petitioned the court for authority over various aspects of his life, including his education, social and sexual interactions, the ability to marry, access to confidential records, and consent for medical treatments. Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. Last year, Colin opened up to PEOPLE about how hard James has always worked, saying: "Repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait." He recounted the momentous occasion when James began feeding himself: "When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I'm proud of him every day, because I just think he's magic."