I have an adopted five year old daughter with Angelman Syndrome (AS), and she is, as everyone has described, an angel. She has a smile that lights up a room and a hug for every receptive being on the planet.

We have recently moved to Albuquerque, NM and have met 3 other families with kids with AS. Their experiences are similar. We all think that our kids are “brilliant” and we all forget that our kids aren’t “normal” until we are around typically developing kids of the same age. They have such native intelligence and wisdom and are so communicative and engaging, with or without spoken language.

Recently, at a festival, a well-meaning woman, trying to be sensitive and politically correct, asked me what my daughter’s “specialty” was. Honestly, I could not figure out what she was asking, and I answered, “Hugging, smiling, laughing, having a great time” before I realized that she was asking what her disability was.

One challenge we have met is that school systems and therapists often have no experience with kids with AS and want to treat them as if they were autistic. Schools are often so pre-occupied with their high energy levels and the challenges of trying to make them conform that they do not appreciate their gifts and talents. Having a child with AS often means plotting your own course and educating a lot of people along the way.

I was glad to see the articles on Colin Farrell and his son with AS. My hope with celebrity presence in the AS community is an increase in understanding that would benefit all of these wonderful children in their everyday lives. I would love to see some organizing around Mr. Farrell and AS similar to the work that is being done with Jenny McCarthy and autism.

One of the families here in Albuquerque has 2 eight year old boys that are actually triplets (their sister is unaffected). They, as all of the AS families we’ve met, are a GREAT family who have had experiences similar to ours. We would love for our Albuquerque AS community to have a presence in the general landscape and feel that our native triplet friends are rare enough to attract some attention in the media, which might lead to attention for AS and an easier future for all of our kids through education for others.

I would love to hear any comments, suggestions or interest in organizing. If interested, you can contact me through my web site – http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomesandfamilies/main

I am just after reading what Colin Farrell wrote, and find this very over whelming! I have so much respect for this person. He has set an extremely good example for other fathers, as many run from the problem. Good luck Colin

Colin ia great Dad. And he is Dad of the year!!!

Not Brad purchased with his children. It can only pose with the children. But that deal, which he can not.

A big congratulations to Colin. You make it right and it is good.

I was researching info about Angelman Syndrome and i found out that Colin Farrell has a son with AS. and i was amazed that he is so open to the public about his sons disorder. But i would like to praise Mr. Farrell for bringing the disorder to the public. My prayers and wishes go out to Mr. Farrell and his son. I hope that James coninues to get better.

He is enjoy with child but child is very beautifull

My brother Erik has Angelmans Syndrome and HE IS MY JOY.
If he would have a business card it would say “professional hugger”.

People act in two different ways – by love or fear.
Fear make people insecure and not knowing how to react to people that are “different”.
It is the same situation in Sweden as in the rest of the world. Sadly but true.

Working as a graphic designer and photographer I have produced a book that shows how Erik, someone little “different”, sees the world.
As part of this project I have been in Japan, living in a family with a son that has Angelman Syndrome. Really fascinating because I fount that the culture and childhood did not effect how this people act or communicate.
See webpage for some more information.

Best,
Anna

I am so excited to read this article! I have a fabulous 5 year old with Angelman Syndrome and I kept saying “hey, where’s our celebrity”? I pray for wonderful things for James and both of his parents. I also pray that they will use their celebrity in order to bring about awareness that will lead to treatment for AS.

My wife and I also have an Angel. Caroline Grace. To Colin: Welcome to a world of love that you could not have possibly knew existed. My hats off to you. Caroline has a very large deletion and cannot walk or talk(6 years old) but the smiles and laughter are abundant. Thank you for speaking of this and bringing this condition the attention it desperately needs.

I was listening to the radio yesterday morning, and heard the announcement of Colin’s son. I was driving to work, and they were giving some of the symptoms out, and I was amazed. I too am a mother of a 3 almost 4 year old little girl. Kaydence Grace. We have overcome a million obstacles in the quick 3 years. She was born with clubbed feet, which is genetic. Since birth, there has been something found one after another. None of it has made sense though. I thought I just had a little girl with multiple problems. But as I was researching, my daughter has 85-90% of these symptoms. I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas, and where to start to see if this could actually be what I’ve been looking for. A name for everything would be great, and also a lot of help if I needed to know anything else for the future. Thanks in advance,
“A mother of a angel in my eyes”
Dawnn
lilredghettobug@yahoo.com