Ireland’s Real Rich List #4

Michael Jenkins today join Ireland’s Real Rich List.

Michael received his Leaving Cert results earlier this week along with thousands of other students. He scored an A1 in English, A2 in Business Studies, B1 in Geography and Biology and a C2 in Maths.

He spent much of his time studying for the exam in a cold, damp coal shed at the back of the family home. The family had no funds to renovate the house to make it wheelchair accessible.

Michael suffers from leukaemia and before the exams he was fighting a host of other complications and had to go through 10 operations before having a hip replaced.

Through all of this he maintained his study schedule with the help of Mary Clarke, a 71 year old retired lecturer from Trinity College. Michael said of Mary :

“If it wasn’t for Mary, I wouldn’t have done nearly as well. She’s my hero”

Michael’s mother said :

“We have nearly lost Michael three times since he was first dianosed with cancer aged 13. We sometimes didn’t think he’d make it, but look at him now. He has made us so proud”

Michael is planning to continue his education and will start a post leaving cert course in Computer and Business Studies in September.

A really positive story, and a very worthy additions to the Real Rich List.