Actor Colin Farrell Launches Foundation to Support Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Irish actor Colin Farrell has launched the Colin Farrell Foundation, “committed to transforming the lives of individuals and families living with intellectual disability through education, awareness, advocacy and innovative programs.”
In an Aug. 7 announcement, the Oscar-nominated actor launched his foundation’s website, which noted that Farrell’s actions were inspired by his two sons. Farrell’s older son, James, born in 2003, has Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder that causes mobility impairments, developmental delays, gastrointestinal issues, seizures, and a lack of speech, according to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.
The Colin Farrell Foundation’s initiatives include advocating for increased funding for Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services especially to support people with intellectual disabilities as they transition to adulthood. The foundation also seeks to create housing and day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, and to provide better wages and support for Direct Support Professionals, who work with and support people with disabilities.
The new foundation is based in Encino, Calif.
CP Foundation Updates Research Studies, Clinical Trials for August
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation has updated its list of research studies and clinical trials that are seeking participants. The most recent additions include “The Impact of Commercial Blenderized Formula on Caloric Needs, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Gut Microbiome in Children with Cerebral Palsy,” an interventional study for 3- to 18-year-olds; and the observational study “Investigating New Methods to Study Movement in Children and Young Adults with Movement Disorders,” an exoskeleton project for 3- to 25-year-olds.
Families and clinicians can visit the Cerebral Palsy Resource page on research and clinical trials, which also explains what clinical trials are, and defines different types of research trials, from systematic reviews and meta-analysis to randomized control trial, quasi-experiment, cohort study, and case report.
