BRAVE CLAIRE GRADUATES WITH HONOURS
Brave Claire graduates with honours
by Claire Anthony
COURAGEOUS young woman, Claire Gallagher, who lost her sight in the Omagh bomb, has graduated with honours in music from Queen's University, Belfast.
The brave 21-one-year-old from Omagh, who became a household name after she was chosen to give a piano recital for the then US President, Bill Clinton, at the White House St. Patrick's Day celebrations in 1999, praised university staff who have supported her during her three year degree course.
She said: "Everybody was great, both staff and students were more than helpful. The university helped me to find note-taker, Jane Matthews, who went with me to lectures and to my exams, and that was a big help.
"I am just delighted that I have got to this stage it's another important milestone for me. There have been difficulties put in my way in life, but I haven't let them hinder me. I've just had to find new ways of doing things. I had to work really hard as everything took me that bit longer, but it's been worth it!"
Claire, who recently got engaged to her long-term boyfriend, now plans to take a year out to go travelling in the United States.
On her return she hopes to go back to university, this time in England, where she wants to study music therapy. This will enable her to work with disabled and terminally ill children, encouraging them to express themselves and communicate through music.
by Claire Anthony
COURAGEOUS young woman, Claire Gallagher, who lost her sight in the Omagh bomb, has graduated with honours in music from Queen's University, Belfast.
The brave 21-one-year-old from Omagh, who became a household name after she was chosen to give a piano recital for the then US President, Bill Clinton, at the White House St. Patrick's Day celebrations in 1999, praised university staff who have supported her during her three year degree course.
She said: "Everybody was great, both staff and students were more than helpful. The university helped me to find note-taker, Jane Matthews, who went with me to lectures and to my exams, and that was a big help.
"I am just delighted that I have got to this stage it's another important milestone for me. There have been difficulties put in my way in life, but I haven't let them hinder me. I've just had to find new ways of doing things. I had to work really hard as everything took me that bit longer, but it's been worth it!"
Claire, who recently got engaged to her long-term boyfriend, now plans to take a year out to go travelling in the United States.
On her return she hopes to go back to university, this time in England, where she wants to study music therapy. This will enable her to work with disabled and terminally ill children, encouraging them to express themselves and communicate through music.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1701
Published Date: 08-Jul-04
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