Woman's Triumph Over Rare Congenital Disorder Hits Screen on Friday

She got a standing ovation at the United Nations in April 2012 after speaking about technology and challenging the audience to build her a robot. Later that year, she was named Young Person of the Year in her native Ireland.

Joanne O’Riordan is one of seven people on this planet currently living with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of all four limbs. Most sufferers die in utero or shortly after birth, but O’Riordan is now 19.

This Friday, the New York Irish Center will screen No Limbs, No Limits, a documentary made by O’Riordan’s brother, Steven, on her life.

Narrated by Tony Award-winning actress Marie Mullen, the film demonstrates the triumph of the subject’s spirit, using everything from interviews with her parents to home movies to clips of her United Nations speech. After the showing, O’Riordan will participate in a Q&A via Skype from Ireland.

Details: No Limbs, No Limits, New York Irish Center, 10-40 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City, June 19, 7:30 pm, $11/$8 for students, senior, unemployed.

Photo by No Limbs, No Limit