Colin Farrell reveals health battle of son James

Actor Colin Farrell has revealed that his 4-year-old son James suffers from Angelman Syndrome , which is a rare neuro-genetic disorder, but has insisted that the 4-year-old is a brave and happy child.

People.com quotes the 'Alexander' actor as saying: "The only time I'm reminded that there is something different about him – that he has some deviation of what is perceived to be normal – is when I see him with other 4-year-olds. Then I go, 'Oh yeah,' and it comes back to me."

The Irish actor added: "But from day one I felt that he's the way he's meant to be."

The actor then goes on to say that his son James shows "amazing courage," and that he's "incredibly blessed to have him in my life."

People states that the 31-year-old Irish actor shares custody of James with the boy's mother, Kim Bordenave, - whom Farrell credits with helping James get the help he needs. The child's early years have been a struggle, Farrell says, but recently the family enjoyed a major breakthrough.

"He took his first steps about six weeks ago, and it was four years in the making," Farrell says. "It was incredibly emotional. There wasn't a dry eye in the house."