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Joanne O'Riordan from Cork with her parents Anne and Joe. Joanne, who was born without arms or legs, is one of just seven people in the world who suffers with a rare condition known as total Amelia. Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Joanne O'Riordan shortlisted for outstanding young person of the world award

The Cork girl first came to the public’s attention when she publically confronted Taoiseach Enda Kenny on cuts to people with disabilities.

DISABILITY RIGHTS ACTIVIST Joanne O’ Riordan has been short listed for a prestigious global youth award called The Outstanding Young Person of the World.

Joanne was shortlisted as one of the top twenty young people in the world by Junior Chamber International (JCI) and is the only Irish contender.

She will join a list of famous dignitaries to achieve the award if she reaches the final ten which is in part, down to a public vote.

Disability cuts 

The Cork girl first came to the public’s attention when she publically confronted Taoiseach Enda Kenny on cuts to people with disabilities.

Since then she has addressed the UN on the importance of technology in her life and is currently in the process of working with Trinity College to create a robot to help her with everyday tasks.

Her life story was captured in the 2014 documentary No Limbs, No Limits and she was also appointed to offer guidance and solutions to the government on young people with disabilities.

Previous winners of the International award include John F Kennedy, Jackie Chan, and Henry Kissinger.

“This has made my entire summer, seriously outstanding person of the world… it has a good ring to it,” said O’Riordan.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would be worthy of such an honour. It would be truly incredible to clinch the prize and make it all the way to Japan not just for me for Ireland as a whole.

The awards take place in Japan on 7 November 2015. To vote for Joanne log visit the website here. Voting closes on Wednesday 19 August.

Read: Two people arrested in relation to Kevin McGuigan murder>

Read: Homeless crisis: “It shouldn’t be talked about that it’s all a Dublin problem”>

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23 Comments
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    Mute Kevin Birns
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:20 AM

    She should be proud of all that she has achieved, and rightly so.

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    Mute Alan White
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:40 AM

    ” Previous winners of the International award include John F Kennedy, Jackie Chan, and Henry Kissinger.” Kinda blackens the legitimacy of the award when a former winner is a war criminal (Henry Kissinger).

    33
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    Mute Kevin Birns
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:46 AM

    Do you have to be so negative, or can you not celebrate all that this fantastic girl has achieved?

    183
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    Mute Deirdre Costello
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    Aug 14th 2015, 10:36 AM

    Jesus man its a “good news story” why do you have to put such a negative spin on it? If she wins it will be HUGE for our little country its not Joannes fault who the previous winners…just vote for JOANNE!!!!

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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:19 AM

    She’s an inspiration to everyone.

    182
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    Mute Trevor Beale
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:25 AM

    And don’t forget to vote via the link above.

    85
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    Mute Diarmuid Lucey
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    Aug 14th 2015, 12:46 PM

    Hopefully she’ll win, as it is well deserved.so far Joanne had 2800 votes while most other entrants haven’t even reached 100 votes! Well done!

    19
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    Mute HRH The Brummie
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:27 AM

    It never ceases to amaze me the courage of people with disabilities how they adapt and just carry on with life, leaving the rest of us to winge about the little things in life.

    162
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    Mute Mary Murphy
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:48 AM

    Joanne is a beautiful young lady. Have had the greatest pleasure of meeting her many times over the years and she is just an inspiration. She is always upbeat and loves the Cráic. She blesses the space you are in by entering into it with her big smile and personality. I truly hope she gets this award but she is a an outstanding young lady with or without an award.. You go Joanne!!!

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    Mute Laura Grimes
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:40 AM

    its official Joanne is seriously outstanding and inspirational to us all. Nice one Joanne

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    Mute jane
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:39 AM

    That’s some achievement

    49
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    Mute Alan White
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:42 AM

    Shame Henry Kissinger won it in the past though

    17
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    Mute HRH The Brummie
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    Aug 14th 2015, 9:34 AM

    pathetic comparison. idiot

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    Mute Antoinette Mcloughlin
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    Aug 14th 2015, 9:25 AM

    Fantastic achievement for this wonderful young woman. well done Joanne. you are an inspiration to so many people

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    Mute Hugh Joey Byrnes
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:28 AM

    shortlisted probably not the most suitable word..

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    Mute Donnachaín Ní Uallacháin
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    Aug 14th 2015, 8:33 AM

    There’s always one (idiot), isn’t there?

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    Mute The Girl
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    Aug 14th 2015, 9:52 AM

    All of Ireland should vote…At times like this having a bigger population would be helpful… We have those away from the island… Diaspora Irish make sure you vote too..

    24
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    Mute Mary Cullinane
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    Aug 14th 2015, 10:34 AM

    Well done Joanne, you are an inspiration to us all.

    20
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    Mute Majella Loftus
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    Aug 14th 2015, 10:43 AM

    Well done Joanne, you are an outstanding inspiration to all children who are faced with challenges but not letting it define who you are. I am so proud of you and everything you stand for. You go girl! X

    16
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    Mute MuckyMoo
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    Aug 14th 2015, 10:25 AM

    What an inspiration that girl is. What sad to think about is that she would have been the perfect candidate for an abortion and if someone tried to argue against it at the time they would have been shouted down and told it is cruel to let her live. Look at her now though – amazing human.

    11
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    Mute mike
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    Aug 14th 2015, 12:15 PM

    Why single her out in the article. She’s not the only nominee. There could be somebody who could be more deserving in people’s minds

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    Mute Marty Flood
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    Aug 14th 2015, 11:29 AM

    Can you only vote by giving a Facebook “like”???

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    Mute Matt McGee
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    Aug 14th 2015, 3:33 PM

    Fair play, but if Henry Kissinger got the award, she’s way too good for it.

    1
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