Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
VICKY PHELAN HAS been awarded an honorary fellowship from Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).
Phelan’s bravery in making public her missed CervicalCheck results led to national outcry and an investigation.
As a result of her taking the company involved and CervicalCheck to court, we now know more than 221 women have been affected by the scandal.
At this stage 20 women, including Emma Mhic Mhathúna, affected by the misread results have died from the disease. However Dr Gabriel Scally whose report into the controversy was released in September has warned many more women may be affected.
In recent weeks Phelan and fellow survivor Lorraine Walsh and Stephen Teap whose wife Irene died from the disease established the 221+ support group in order to help the women and their families affected by CervicalCheck scandal.
Today President of WIT Willie Donnelly praised Phelan for determination throughout the controversy.
In a moving tribute Donnelly said “Irish society was all the better for Vicky Phelan’s unique and generous contribution”.
Vicky demanded truth and fought for equality for all.
Phelan is the Head of Literacy Development at WIT and the honorary fellowship is the highest award the college can bestow. She was joined by her parents Gabbi and John, husband Jim and children Amelia and Darragh at the ceremony.
Addressing those gathered today Phelan described herself as a lifelong learner.
Quoting Nelson Mandela Phelan said she has used her education to expose the CervicalCheck debacle. She highlighted the lack of critical thinking taught at secondary schools, saying students learn to “read, memorise and regurgitate”.
“Critical thinking helped me to expose what happened”, skills she said she only learned because she was privileged enough to continue her education through third level.
Critical thinking allowed me challenge what I was told, after reflecting on how I went from an all clear smear to invasive cervical cancer.
Phelan said even at the age of 40 she “still didn’t know what (she) I wanted to be when I grew up”. However she said she feels her role now as an advocate for women is the one she was meant to do:
I believe what happened to me, happened for a reason. I believe I have finally found my role in life.
Phelan said her tumours have now reduced by 50%, due to a drug she found through her own research, after her medical team told her she had only a matter or months to live.
In accepting her award today Phelan said it was a “dream come true”:
I am honoured to accept this award and wish to accept this award on behalf of the women of Ireland for whom I have been campaigning and who inspire me to continue in my campaign for improvements in women’s healthcare.
You can watch Phelan’s speech in full here.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Is this a wind up ?
On the other hand I’d love to have the money to buy it
Just like and share to be in with a chance to win one.
Not for me.
I couldn’t tell my boss I was late because of my watch.
Don’t see any reason there to pay 1.1m for a watch, save the money and ask someone the time, or if you can pay that type of cash for a watch why the fu*k would you care what time it is
I honestly think a finely made watch is beautiful. I feel naked if I don’t wear one on a night out. I think a watch and ring is the only jewellery a man should wear. I do have a watch fetish but have never spent any more that 500 euro on one. Any more is just silly. But sure if you are loaded why not.
I agree family guy, I wear my watch all the time and feel naked without it.
Does it have a calculator though?
And all it does is tell the time
does it have a sexy voice..??
Ill have 2
One for each wrist?
Oh yeh. I’ll be unbalanced if i don’t
Another upstart of a company.
Established no doubt, to separate new money easterners from their cash.
Well if they’re foolish with their dollars.
Maybe they deserve to be shafted.
Your a boor.
Fact are booring.
My auld Casio will do me. Best 15euro I ever spent.
I’d rather have a Veyron.
But not the cost of running it. They would financially cripple you, which is why the vast majority of those on the market have hardly been driven.
You think the running cost is why the majority of veyrons are not driven in public…?
Skin, no, not the sole reason but almost certainly a contributory factor.
Four sprung durch technik?
Time is your worst enemy, why would you pay 1.1 Million, for a watch, and half the world’s Children starving, it beggers belief.
300 watches = 1 children’s hospital
But you can’t wear the other 299 watches on your arm now can you.
Do the ladies really judge a fella by the piece on his wrist?!
To spend that much on a watch you’d have to have a piece for a head…
It’s not what’s on his wrist that they care about, it’s the distance from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. So shallow…
I’ve got 200 of these unwrapped which can’t be sold. Like and share to be in with a chance to win one :)
Well it would also have to bring me my tea and toast up to the bed in the morning as well if I paid that price for it!!!!!!
Does it only work when tethered to an iPhone 6?
what is a power reserve function? and how is it powered?
Looks like the strap is extra!
If I could afford this I would care what time it was
Saw a watch that cost $350,000 in a shop the other day. It’s made from authentic pieces salvaged from the Titanic! Some people…
Watch yourself….
have your say