Joanne O'Riordan is the ‘Outstanding Young Person of World’
After being advised yesterday of the prestigious acknowledgement from Junior Chamber International, she said: “I’m simply blown away by the fact that I have been awarded such an accolade. To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement.”
The Millstreet, Co Cork woman, a criminology student at University College Cork, was told of the honour yesterday by JCI president Ismail Haznedar. She will travel to Japan in November to receive the award.
Joanne is one of only seven people in the world with total amelia, a condition which resulted in her being born without limbs.
It emerged that Joanne, who has addressed the UN about how technology had changed her life, secured almost half of the 26,000 online votes in the JCI poll.
“For me this award is about highlighting the ability of every citizen irrespective of their disability. I want people to realise that people with disabilities can contribute to a wider society in a more positive and helpful way,” she said.
In 2011, she burst on to the public conscious when, at the age of 15, she single-handedly got the Government to reverse a cut they were going to make to a disability payment.
“I want to thank all those who voted for me and who believe in people with disabilities and provide them with opportunities in life to do better,” she said.
Her numerous awards include Rehab Young Person of Year 2012 and she was the subject of the documentary, No Limbs No Limits.
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