Colin Farrell is usually very private about his personal life, but now he’s opened up about his experience of having a child with Angelman syndrome. Despite its relatively common nature, affecting 1 in 12,000 to 20,000 people, the condition doesn’t get much publicity, leaving most of us in the dark about what it is and how it affects those who live with it. Thankfully, Farrell decided that the best thing for his son James and people like him was to shed some light on the difficulties and unique challenges surrounding Angelman syndrome.

In an exclusive interview with People, Colin Farrell opened up about life with his son James, who has Angelman syndrome. James was diagnosed with the neurogenetic disorder as a toddler and now, at 20, he still struggles to find the support he deserves.

Angelman syndrome is caused by a mutation or deletion of the UBE3A gene on chromosome 15. It affects all aspects of life and symptoms are widespread:

Symptoms common to all people with Angelman syndrome include: