Author wins County Mayor's award

CONGRATULATIONS was extended to Majella McCarthy and to the Tar Isteach fundraising shop, who were both nominated for Cork County Mayor’s Community Awards. 

A ceremony was held at the County Hall on Monday evening last and Majella received an award from County Mayor Patrick Gerard Murphy in recognition of her voluntary work in raising funds for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus, including writing a book last year. In My Journey Through Life, she wrote about how she defied the odds to survive the devastating childhood illness. 

Majella, a twin, lives with hydrocephalus – water on the brain – which makes it hard for her to retain information. Meningitis also caused her to lose the hearing in her left ear. Several surgeries have also caused facial palsy. 

However, none of these health matters have held Majella back, but they have had an impact and outlining these was a reason for writing the book. 

She told The Southern Star at the time of publication: ‘I just want to make people who have no health issues aware what it’s like for those of us who do.’