A teenager from Cork has been named as one of the top 20 young people in the world.
Joanne O’Riordan has been shortlisted for the honour by the Junior Chamber International after being widely credited with persuading the government into a U-turn on its disability cuts policy.
Her nomination is due to her ‘Contribution to children, world peace, and/or human rights’.
Joanne has Total Amelia, which is a congenital disorder that caused her to be born without any limbs. She is one of only seven people in the world to have the condition.
She first came to prominence in 2011 when she challenged the government over its decision to cut funding for people with disabilities.
She struck such a chord with the public that the government reversed its decision and Joanne became a national hero as well as a ‘global voice for the disabled’.
She has since spoken to the UN about how important technology was in allowing her to lead an independent life.
Joanne is also working with Trinity College Dublin to design a robot that will help people with disabilities live more comfortably and independently.
Her life has been made into an inspiring documentary called ‘No Limbs No Limits’.
The public are able to vote for Joanne to try to help her reach the final ten and be in with a chance of winning the award.
Click here to vote for Joanne
Take a look at this excerpt from No Limbs No Limits
Here is Joanne appearing on the Late Late Show.