Noel Cawley hails from Blacksod, Belmullet, County Mayo. At just three years of age he was diagnosed with hearing loss. Doctors confirmed that he was fifty to sixty percent deaf. Undeterred Noel continued to live life like any little boy his age.

However, at the age of nine, he was diagnosed with Spastic Paraparesis. Walking becomes gradually more difficult and painful with this condition. It also affects the upper limbs, which impacts on a person’s handwriting. Even though Noel’s handwriting had deteriorated during secondary school he went on to complete his Junior and Leaving certificate examinations with the help of a “Scribe”. Noel has also being diagnosed with Mitochondria Disease

Noel’s medical condition dictated trips to Dublin hospitals every five weeks over a six-year period. Even though Noel missed a lot of time from school during this time, he still maintained his studies at school to a high standard.

Noel received “Student of The Year Award 2003” at Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet much to his own surprise. He received this award for being himself and displaying his leadership qualities.

Noel received a GAISCE award and was presented with a silver medal for his efforts in this project. The President's Award (GAISCE) is given by the President to young people between the ages of fifteen and twenty five, who have set and achieved a demanding challenge for themselves in different areas of activity, such as community involvement, personal skill, physical recreation and venture activity.

Noel is currently in his first year at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) where he is studying for a diploma in Heritage Studies. He has a long-standing interest in local history and heritage. It is Noel’s bravery; determination and sense of humour that have seen him through his exams and have allowed him achieve his life long goal of obtaining a third level education ambition.