Though Ronan Tynan’s
singing career has made him a star, his personal story of triumph in the
face of adversity is the stuff of which legends are made. The subject
of an ABC-TV 20/20 profile, Barbara Walters stated, "Here on 20/20,
we’ve told you about a lot of incredible people, but we have never
profiled anyone with the accomplishments of the man you’re about
to meet. Most people believed he wouldn’t even be able to earn a
living, but what he has done is so amazing you may find it hard to believe.
It’s a wonderful story".
Ronan was born forty years ago with lower limb disability. When he was
twenty, his legs had to be amputated below the knee after an auto accident
caused complications. Just weeks after the operation, he was climbing
up the steps of his college dorm. Within a year, he was winning gold medals
in the disabled games. Between 1981 and 1984, Ronan amassed eighteen gold
medals and fourteen world records.
It was this kind of determination that soon propelled him to conquer a
whole new field. He became the first disabled person ever admitted to
the National College of Physical Education, and then a full-fledged Medical
Doctor, specializing in Orthopedic Sports Injuries, with a degree from
prestigious Trinity College.
Encouraged to study voice by his father, Ronan won both the John McCormick
Cup for Tenor Voice and the BBC talent show Go For It less than one year
after beginning to study music. The following year, Ronan won the prestigious
International Operatic Singing Competition in Maumarde, France. His debut
Sony album became a top five hit in two weeks, going platinum shortly
thereafter. Ronan has just completed his autobiography to be published
in February of 2001. Ronan’s second solo CD; will also be distributed
worldwide in February 2001.
Ronan says "I want people to realize that regardless of what infirmity
or disability, it should never stop you from doing what you want to do.
You can mentally make your mind strong enough to overcome any obstacle
that comes your way. Make a deal with yourself to take risks, because
when you do and it come out right, boy it’s some buzz!."