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.

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