A Cork teenager who was born with no arms or legs has been invited to give a keynote speech in the United Nations in New York next week.
Joanne O’Riordan, 15, is the only person with a disability to be invited to the exclusive global conference, entitled “Girls in Technology,” The event is hosted by the International Telecommunication Union ITU which is the UN agency for technology.
“I am very excited about it,” the teenager told the Irish Voice, during a break from class at Millstreet Community School on Tuesday.
“I have always wanted to go to New York,” she added.
O’Riordan, from Millstreet in Cork, is one of seven known people in the world to suffer from Total Amelia, characterized by the absence of all four limbs.
Last year the teenager’s vivacious personality led Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny to make a u-turn on budget cuts to disability payments, after pre-election footage of Kenny was released in which he promised Joanne that the disability allowance would remain intact.
After she appeared on the popular Irish talk show The Late Late Show last December, the teenager was asked to join the high level panel of 10 women, who will discuss closing the gender gap in technology.
The high school student will speak about how technology has helped her overcome the challenges of living with a rare genetic disorder.
“I am going to talk about how technology has given me a better education,” she told the Irish Voice.
“When I was younger I was able to write but as the workload increased in school, we asked the publishers to put the books on my laptop.
“They only asked the most important women in the world, so it’s quite an honor.”
Joanne, her bother Steven, 28, and her parents Ann and Joe will travel to New York next Monday for a week. As well as achieving a lifelong dream of coming to America, Joanne will also celebrate her 16th birthday in New York next Tuesday.
“I think I am going to the Hard Rock Café,” she said.
“I have a fascination with cities. You can never really get bored. You get to live in apartments and you can walk across the hall to your friends.”
In addition to her trip, the Irish Film Board has given the go ahead for a documentary based on Joanne’s extraordinary life story.
“I am very excited about it,” she said.
Directed by Joanne’s brother Steven O’Riordan, No Limbs, No Limits not only hopes to inspire, but also have a lasting effect on how people perceive those with disabilities.
“My story is kind of out there anyway,” she reflected. “But people don’t really know the real me and how I live a normal life.”
Joanne O'Riordan Chats About Having Total Amelia Syndrome on the Late Late Show:
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.mreinhar2001 | Jul 01, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT
Cat: I am trying to understand the point of your comment directed towards me and my comment. First: Have you read some of the ugly comments made on this site? It seems that there is not concept of "place" of appropriateness at this website. If something bothers you, you need to touch the report "abuse button" and express why it is not appropriate in your opinion. That said, I am sorry that you took my comment incorrectly and out of context, as well as for not checking back to see your comment that I might reply sooner. Now to your comment. Are you pro-abortion or pro-infanticide? That is what your comment sounds like. I would like you to re-write your comment so that you actually make a point rather than blather on about non-cited reports. If that is your point, then I have every right to be pro-life. A person has the right to live no matter what the outside thinks about the quality of that person's life. To clarify, ciradexy himself wrote: stop judging women who do not want to be pregnant." I replied that he meant "who want to have free sex, but' 'who do not want to be pregnant.'" Since the 1960's many people have fallen under the illusion that they can have free and uninhibited sex without responsibility, because if they get preganant, they can simply go and have the kid ripped out of the mom via an abortion. Any child, no matter how conceived, has the right to live. People like to use the word "fetus" if they do not want the child and "baby" if they do. Well, it is simply a human baby. If left to it's own devices, the fetus will not grow into a tomato. It becomes a human baby. That is my point. So what on earth was your point and the purpose of your attack? Please clarify.
Cat | Apr 29, 2012, 05:19 AM EDT
Maggiepoo/Murph46/mreinhar2001, those comments have no place here, given that the lady herself will probably read it. It is entirely inappropriate to use this young woman as a catalyst to support your own views. Paricularly when the the recent studies and indeed womens own stories suggest that the fetal abnormalities they are seeking abortions for are a lot more severe. Comparing incidences where a baby may only live for a couple of painful days to a healthy child with no limbs is nonsensical. Every story is unique, the well informed pregnant person in that position is the only person to make that decision. Callous condemnation is shameful. There is a time and place for abortion debate and this is not it. You should be commending this young woman on her own merit instead of using it as an opportunity to promote your abortion stance. Well done Joanne and don't mind their ignorance's.
mreinhar2001 | Apr 22, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT
Hi ciradex: You mean 'who want to have free sex, but' "who do not want to be pregnant."
ciaradexy | Apr 20, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT
Murph, there are plenty of disabled children in care. Maybe you should adopt some of them?
Murph46 | Apr 19, 2012, 05:47 PM EDT
Maggie does have a point ,those in the story are going to England to abort fetuses with problems.Had she been one of those ultrasounded fetuses we might never know of her strength and ability in spite of her deformity.
ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 04:37 PM EDT
Maggie, does she look like she has a swollen head that doesnt contain a brain? No? Well then shut up woman and stop judging women who do not want to be pregnant.
Ballyphehane1 | Apr 19, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT
Wow - the years just fly. I remember all of the stories in Cork about this amazing girl when she was very young. Well done Joanne - you put us all to shame girl with that fantastic attitude that you have. I've just come from reading another 'news' story on this site where it was a bit depressing looking at all of the negative comments. This story has lifted my own spirits - I'm going to keep my good mood going now and not read any other stories today. Absolutely delighted for Joanne and for the rest of her family and the best of luck to her brother with the documentary endeavour.
ciaradexy | Apr 19, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT
This girl is amazing. Saw her on the Late Late a few months ago.