As a disability rights campaigner and activist, Joanne O’Riordan’s motto in life is “no limbs, no limits” – and she certainly proves that the sky is the limit. The witty Joanne has just finished second year in UCC and is now enjoying her summer.

“I think a hero is someone who empowers and inspires a person on a daily basis, to get up in the morning and to keep going, to believe in a person, to keep a person motivated and their spirits high. For everyone it is always a challenge to keep going and stay on track, and I feel a hero is anyone you can take inspiration from,” says Joanne.

“The Hidden Hero award is a brilliant one. I think it is so important to highlight that there are so many heroes out there who are indeed hidden. People who do great things on a daily basis, expecting nothing in return. When we think of heroes, we immediately look to the famous people in the public eye. However, the greatest heroes of all are those who go unnoticed and don’t expect any credit for the work they are doing. That’s why I feel that it is so important to highlight these unseen heroes,” she explains.

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“They too deserve recognition and their time to shine. This award highlights this and gives reassurance to other people out there that the work they are doing is worthwhile, and that it is not going unnoticed. It is so important that all these heroes are celebrated, they all deserve a night out, to be acknowledged and appreciated, and I feel the ceremony is successful in doing this,” Joanne says.

“A big thanks has to go to the supporters and sponsors of the award for highlighting the good work that not only the nominees are doing, but for the thousands of heroes around Ireland,” she concludes.

award winner

Neala Clohessy from Limerick won the “Triumph Over Adversity” award last year for caring for her late husband Dermot, who began treatment for brain cancer shortly after their son Rian was born. Dermot passed away while Neala was expecting their daughter Fia.

“It was really great to get the award. I wasn’t expecting it at all. In fact, I had nominated my mother for the award. So it was lovely when we jointly won it. I wouldn’t have put myself in that position. The award is outstanding, the fact that there are people who think that highly of you to nominate you is quite touching,” says Neala.

“For Dermot and I what was going on was our norm, our everyday. We wouldn’t have had it any other way. Dermot had a really good outlook on life, a lot better than me, you could say. The thing is, Dermot would have done the same for me. It wasn’t anything out of character for either of us. Dermot was the real hero to me, along with my mother and family, of course, who kept the whole show on the road.

“Dermot was so selfless and kind – his bucket list never left the front gate. In fact, it even included replacing the front gates. Dermot wanted to have everything perfect for us. His bucket list involved getting the house painted, new wardrobes and new tarmac to name but a few,” Neala remembers.

“Mam was amazing. She had just recently retired and was planning on helping me with the baby (Rian who is currently three). Dermot had always said we would have the baby first and then we would focus on him, and my mother and family really helped us to do this.

“By mam helping with the baby, it gave me time to help Dermot with his treatment, appointments and bucket list. My family and Dermot’s family were outstanding. Everyone was so helpful. They looked after the baby, cleaned the house, filled the fridge and got prescriptions if we had to go to hospital appointments. We are lucky to have such a close family,” she says.

“In our own world, we realised that our little family unit was the most important. It’s funny what life can teach you, when you are dealt with a certain hand. We enjoyed every day with Dermot. We were never in a rush to get things done; if Dermot was feeling well, we would do enjoyable things. The small things in life are the most important.

“Dermot was my husband and my best friend, so I never saw what I did as heroic. It was just our ordinary,” says Neala.CL

Nominate your hero

Hidden Hearing is once again calling on everyone – family members, friends and co-workers – across Ireland to nominate their Hidden Heroes for 2016. The Heroes will be announced at a national awards ceremony in Dublin on 5 September. Nominations will remain open until 5 August. You can nominate a hero online at www.hiddenhearing.ie/heroes, in Hidden Hearing branches nationwide or by sending the details of the nominee to Hidden Hearing Ltd, Hidden Heroes Awards, 3030 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Freepost F1570, Dublin 24.