5 Celebrities Who Revealed They Raise Children with Special Needs

Didi Conn and Daniel Shire, 2019 | Al Roker and Nick Roker, 2022 | Source: Instagram.com/alroker | Instagram.com/officialdidiconn

Celebrities like Bob Denver and Didi Conn had to go through misdiagnoses before their children were correctly diagnosed as being special needs. Other stars with special children also had to sacrifice to care for their offspring.

People, in general, have the idea that celebrities are somehow superhuman beings who live extraordinary lives. While they might live differently from ordinary people, they face relatable challenges. In the following article, we look at the lives of five Hollywood stars.

Bob Denver in "Gilligan's Island," in 1964 | Source: Getty Images

What makes them stick out is that each of them has a special needs child. From Bob Denver to Didi Conn, these celebrities have made immense sacrifices to ensure their children have the best lives possible.

Bob Denver's Special Needs Child Was Initially Misdiagnosed

By the time Bob Denver met his wife Dreama, the pair met while working on a "Play it Again Sam" production, the former had already made a name for himself in Hollywood. He'd hung up his hat as a television actor and even fathered three children.

Bob Denver and Dreama Denver, circa 1981 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

In 1984, he and Dreama had a child of their own, Colin Denver, and the young boy changed their lives for good. Dreama shared that many people assumed they were rich since they saw Bob on television frequently, but the family struggled desperately with their finances.

The "Gilligan's Island" star hadn't been paid exorbitant amounts for his role as Gilligan, and back then, actors weren't paid for reruns of their work. When Colin came along, the family's financial situation worsened. From a young age, Dreama and Bob realized their son wasn't developing like other children, and a doctor at UCLA Medical Center told them that the young boy was "retarded."

Luckily, Colin was eventually correctly diagnosed with severe Autism and a seizure disorder, which meant the young boy needed constant care and attention. Although their finances were tight, Bob and Dreama's lives were forever changed by the arrival of their son, with the actor giving up drinking and his career to care for the child.

The star took to caring for his son full-time, giving up his career despite the family's financial woes. He and Dreama adored Colin, spending as much time with the boy as they possibly could, seeing to his every need. Dreama has repeatedly shared images of Colin on her Instagram, captioning a post made on his birthday:

"For all of his 39 years, this boy has owned my heart. I wish his dad could see him now, especially the little balding spot on the crown of his head. Like me, I don't think Bob would believe it! Happy Birthday, Colin-O! Your dad and I love you now and forever."

Sadly, Bob never got to see his son grow up. The actor started losing his voice in 2004; by 2005, he realized he had lost much weight. He finally went to see a specialist, who threaded a tiny camera down his throat to take a look and found an unusual growth on his voice box.

One MRI scan later, Bob was diagnosed with stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer, which is rare but aggressive. After a complex surgery failed to yield completely satisfactory results, Bob was placed on respirators. His condition wasn't improving, and by the end of 2005, Dreama Denver decided to turn off the respirators.

Bob Denver on February 3, 2004, in Marina Del Rey, California | Source: Getty Images

The actor succumbed to cancer, much like actress Farah Fawcett. Dreama stated after his death, "His legacy was the love of his fans. He always said that that made him richer than any residuals could have."

It Took a While for Didi Conn's Son to Be Correctly Diagnosed

Didi Conn became a household name after starring in the 1978 movie, "Grease" as Frenchy. In her personal life, she has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Frankie Conn, whom she wed in 1975 and divorced in 1978. She tied the knot to songwriter David Shire for the second time in 1982.

Didi Conn as Frenchy, Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo, and Dinah Manoff as Marty Maraschino in "Grease" on June 16, 1978 | Source: Getty Images

The couple welcomed their son Daniel several years later, in 1992. After their son celebrated his second birthday, he began having problems. Didi penned a piece for CNN in 2009 detailing what occurred from that point onwards:

"He started to have increasingly lengthy and violent tantrums, usually initiated by his extraordinary sensitivity to sound. [...] He would begin to scream, hold his ears, and throw himself down on the ground."

The actress and her husband took their son to a pediatrician who did not seem concerned about the child's erratic behavior and provided a routine hearing test for him instead. The medical professional told the parents dismissively:

"He's 2; you've heard of the 'terrible 2s.'"

David Shire and his wife Didi Conn at the "Children and Art" post-show dinner on March 21, 2005, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

However, Didi explained the doctor's attitude, saying it was 1994, and apparent signs of Autism were not common then and were less publicized. Months later, Daniel's behavior escalated when he woke up two or three times in the middle of the night, screaming. This continued for hours, and Didi and David could not do anything about it. The star further revealed this about her child:

"Since Danny was so sensitive to sound, he began to stop responding to us as a way of protecting himself from the pain."

Didi Conn and her husband David Shire at the "Evening Of Discovery" Gala on May 15, 2012, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

The actress disclosed that she and her husband took Daniel to Dr. Isabelle Rapin, who initially diagnosed him with PDDNOS: Persuasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. The couple discovered that "autism" was an umbrella term for five spectrum disorders.

Following three more visits with Dr. Isabelle, Daniel was officially diagnosed as a "high-functioning child on the autism spectrum." The doctor recommended that the boy be taken to The Therapeutic Nursery at the Jewish Community Center on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey. Didi expressed how she handled the news, saying:

"I became the Queen of Denial. I wouldn't believe there was something 'wrong' with my son."

Didi Conn and David Shire at the opening night performance of "Waterfall" on June 7, 2015, in Pasadena, California | Source: Getty Images

Daniel's habit of waking up multiple times throughout the night persisted for 12 years. His mother said she knew she had to pull herself together to keep him safe. However, the opposite happened. She said Daniel's diagnosis stunned her to the point where she started "shrinking, hiding, disappearing, guilty and overprotective."

The star turned down job opportunities and refused to leave her son alone. She feared he would do something drastic without supervision, like setting the house on fire. With her child's experience, she learned that early intervention with the right therapy and family support could go a long way in helping children reach their full potential.

Didi Conn and David Shire at the gala performance of "Big The Musical" on September 17, 2019, in London | Source: Getty Images

“[…] One of the blessings of having an autistic child is that you notice every little achievement, and it becomes cause for celebration," said Didi. One time, when conversing with another mother whose child was also disabled, she told her the best thing to do in their situation is to do everything they can without expecting any results.

In January 2019, the actress shared the most significant breakthrough of her son, who was 26 years old then. For the first time in his life, he said to her, "I love you." The star explained that she was going to catch a flight to the UK when he said it on the phone.

Didi Conn at the Chiller Theatre Expo Spring on April 28, 2018, in Parsippany, New Jersey | Source: Getty Images

When she asked him to repeat it, he did. As she cried over the phone, he asked her why, and she told him it was tears of joy. She expressed.

"It was the biggest milestone, it really was. [...] It really was something special to hear."

Didi Conn at a photocall for "Dancing on Ice" on December 18, 2018, in London, England | Source: Getty Images

Following years of caring for her son, Didi decided to get back to work and signed up for the reality show "Dancing on Ice" in December 2018. She was 67 then and said she wanted to take on a new challenge after Daniel moved to a farm where he worked.

The New York native turned 72 in 2023 and still makes time for her beloved fans. She attended the Summer Lovin' 45th Anniversary Celebration of "Grease," where original cast members were also present.

Al Roker's Special Needs Son Made Him Proud by Getting into College

In 2021, Al Rocker and his wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, celebrated a milestone in their son's life after he got accepted into college. In an emotional Instagram clip on Al's account, the proud parents stand off-camera as their son Nick relays the exciting news.

Nick said he was excited about the acceptance before he high-fived his mother and embraced her in celebration. The smile on his face was enough evidence of how thrilled he was at the idea of joining college.

Opening up about the big news on an episode of "The View," Deborah disclosed how proud they were of their son, who has dealt with developmental issues and learning disabilities all his life. Nick was born with special needs, and according to his dad, he may be obsessive-compulsive and is somewhere on the autism spectrum.

These labels, Al says, do not in any way begin to describe who Nick is. The condition, however, has not limited the then-19-year-old from reaching his goals. Deborah shared some of Nick's achievements over the years, saying he swam competitively and even got a black belt in Taekwondo.

He has also taken basketball and chess lessons. Al's wife said their son also tried training for the marathon but changed his mind. In July 2023, however, Al uploaded clips of his son racing for charity. The proud dad took videos of his boy as he participated in and completed two races amid nasty weather.

Captioning one of the clips, the television personality and his wife shared how proud they were of their son. Despite Nick being outgoing and a hard worker, Al said parenting a special needs child is not an easy fit. He disclosed that he does sometimes get frustrated with his son. The star opened up about it, saying:

"But then I remember my dad, how understanding he was. And Deborah reminds me that I have to show my son not only that I love him but that I like him as well."

Watching his son conquer life's challenges has made Al want to be a better person. Every day, he watches his son overcome hurdles that people with his condition often don't, and it makes him all the more proud to be his father. When the boy was four, this next celebrity revealed that his son had special needs.

Colin Farrell's Oldest Son's Condition Is Often Misdiagnosed as Autism or Cerebral Palsy

Colin Farrell is an award-winning Irish actor who is a two-time Golden Globe winner and a proud father of two boys. The actor shares his oldest son, James, with his ex-partner, Kim Bordenave. The former couple welcomed their first child in 2003, but the actor could not be there for the birth since he was filming in Morrocco.

Colin Farrell and his son James photographed in Dublin in 2009 | Source: Getty Images

However, Colin could not have been happier to become a father and made sure his family was there to welcome the baby boy. When James was four years old, "The Gentleman" star revealed that his son was diagnosed with a rare neuro-genetic disorder called Angelman Syndrome.

Angelman Syndrome is identified by developmental delay, speech impairment, movement or balance disorder, excessive laughter, and seizures. According to reports, the condition is often misdiagnosed as Autism or cerebral palsy.

The proud father emphasized that he never saw his son as someone with a disability. "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," explained Colin.

Farrell believed that his son was just how he was meant to be. The actor is constantly in awe of his son's courage and feels blessed to have him. When James was four, his family celebrated a significant milestone when he took his first step.

The "Batman" star expressed how emotional it was for him and his family to witness. He said, "It was incredibly emotional. There wasn't a dry eye in the house." Before discovering his son's diagnosis, Colin promoted the Special Olympics.

The experience of watching those athletes in action left a lasting effect on him, and discovering his son's diagnosis a few years later was a shocking coincidence. But despite the challenges that come with James' condition, the actor loves to watch his son defy the odds; he also gives credit to his mother for helping their child get the help he needed.

Colin understands the difficulty of raising a child with special needs and took the time to encourage parents when speaking at the summit and gala for Angelman syndrome research in Chicago hosted by the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

The Ocar-nominated actor reminded parents that the journey of raising their children is not meant to be lonely. He expressed:

"The struggles of a child with special needs can be so brutal that they can tear at the very fabric of your heart, but the love shared and the pure strength and heroism observed is the needle and thread that mends all tears."

Early in his fatherhood journey, Colin was determined to be a present father. In 2005, he took the big step of going into rehab for his alcohol and illegal substance addiction, and James influenced a big part of that decision.

The actor is now a father of two. He welcomed his second son, Henry, with his girlfriend, Alicja Bachleda, in 2009. Colin was excited to become a dad again and said he was prepared for everything to come, "even changing dirty diapers," he added.

The star opened up about the transition of bringing his sons together. The process took some adjusting as the boys have different mothers, but Colin said his children worked well together. The brothers also started agreeing on the Disney movies they would love to watch, with their father recalling:

"I remember the days when he couldn't watch 10 minutes of a film because he couldn't sit easy, but now he can."

Colin Farrell and his son Henry at the Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The actor continued to add that James struggled with things that came easy to most, like eating, walking, and feeding himself. But each day, Colin is astonished at how much work the boy puts into everything he has achieved with his condition and finds that he can inspire many people.

The star is constantly inspired by his children and always remembers to thank them in his speeches. When he won a Gold Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy Motion Picture, he thanked his fellow actors and ended his speech by giving a shout-out to his children, calling them "the loves of my life."

Toni Braxton's Special Needs Son Is a Model

Toni Braxton blamed herself when her youngest son, Diezel Braxton-Lewis, was diagnosed with Autism when he was three. She had a staunch religious upbringing as a preacher's kid, influencing how she perceives the world.

Toni Braxton and her son Diezel arrive at the American Music Awards on November 22, 2009, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

In her 2014 book, "Unbreak My Heart: A Memoir," the Grammy winner was embarrassed to discuss having an abortion. She carried the guilt with her for many years. Although she did the procedure primarily for medical reasons, she thought her child's Autism was divine retribution. Speaking to Hoda Kotb on "Good Morning America," Toni admitted:

"I remember when they told me that my son was autistic, I thought, 'Okay, you had an abortion, and this is God's way of punishing you.'"

Diezel Ky Braxton-Lewis and Toni Braxton at the opening night of "Motown: The Musical" on April 30, 2015, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

In addition, the songstress felt selfish because she was going through bankruptcy and was fearful that she could not provide a potential child with a future. Speaking about her unborn baby, she said:

"I often tell myself I have three kids. I have two boys, but I often have to tell myself I have two kids. But in my head, I feel like I have three kids."

Toni can remember the signs that made her realize her youngest son is different from other children. The "little things," like his lack of eye contact and very little communication, gave her pause. Once a three-year-old Diezel was diagnosed with Autism, they could give him the specialized care that he needed.

The "Breathe Again" singer has dispelled the misconception that children with Autism cannot learn. "They learn differently," she said on a morning show in 2015. She had come to see through the non-profit Autism Speaks, which she has partnered with that there is nothing wrong with her baby, nor is there anything she could have done differently.

Diezel Braxton-Lewis and Toni Braxton at Michael B. Jordan's MBJAM on July 27, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The star highlighted the advantages of early diagnosis and celebrated that her then-12-year-old is a "typical peer." Diezel's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapist was always with him, even when he and his older brother, Denim, joined their mom on her first tour of South Africa and Asia.

He was featured in the "When I Grow Up" music video by Dimitri Vegas.

For all the help that she received when first learning about her son's Autism, Toni has used her celebrity to pay it forward by raising awareness of all the tools available to families, like ABA and other therapies.

At age 14, the "Spanish Guitar" star revealed that Diezel was becoming a model. He came closer to this goal when he signed with Wilhemina Models the following year and later moved to the Maverick Agency. When the male model walked the runway of Marcell Von Berlin's spring 2022 collection with his brother, their mom and aunt, Tamar Braxton, were in the audience to support them.

The brothers had previously collaborated with Toni Braxton for Uncle Bud's Hemp & CBD beauty campaign. Since early childhood, Diezel has been interested in acting, idolizing Denzel Washington and "Black-ish" funnyman Anthony Anderson. In a social media bio, he wrote:

"I dress up and pretend to be other people for a living!"

Some of the characters he has dressed up as are Young Ant in the 2019 short film "Ant," for which he won Best Young Actor at the Oniros Film Awards, Derrick in "Family Time;" and Arthur in the fourth and fifth seasons of "Chicken Girls."

He was featured in the "When I Grow Up" music video by Dimitri Vegas and "Like Mike" featuring Wiz Khalifa in 2018, and acted opposite David Banner, Robin Givens, and Romeo Miller in the feature "Never Heard."

"Mom is so proud of you," Toni wrote when Diezel graduated from high school in June 2021 and rejoiced that he was heading to Howard University that fall. Diezel has been his mother's plus one to red-carpet events such as the American Music Awards and the opening night of a musical. He also presented with her the night she wore a viral cutout dress at "An Evening of Stars" in Atlanta in 2015.

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