When Colin Farrell shared for the first time what life is like raising his 20‑year‑old son James, who lives with Angelman syndrome, the message went far beyond personal. It revealed a growing crisis faced by many families: once a child with intellectual or developmental disabilities turns 21, many of the supports they’ve depended on begin to disappear. Farrell’s story isn’t just one of parenting, it’s a call to action.

To meet this challenge, Farrell founded the Colin Farrell Foundation, which aims to expand access to critical services for adults with intellectual disabilities. The foundation’s initiatives include affordable and accessible community housing, day programs, and advocacy for policies that address long waitlists for disability support waivers. These are issues so many families face alone, and having someone use their platform to highlight them matters.

What makes this movement especially inspiring is how Farrell frames it not merely as charity, but as justice and inclusion. He emphasizes that James, and others like him, deserves more than being “left behind.” The foundation’s work underscores the importance of independence, dignity, and community connection, values that too many adults with disabilities find difficult to access. It’s a reminder that progress happens when stories become platforms for change. Global Genes+2The Guardian+2