A young Cork artist and author with Aspergers, Jessica Griffin, shone the light for autism at Blarney & District Chamber of Commerce awards night last month when she was announced winner of the Chamber’s inaugural ambassador award which recognises a person, group or business that best represents the spirit of Blarney locally, nationally, or internationally. The 21 year old, who received her award from local Councillor Damian Boylan deputising for the Lord Mayor, and Chamber Chair John Foley, was presented with the award for her creation of a beautifully illustrated comic book ‘One Piece Missing’, which aims to educate people about asperger’s and autism. ‘One Piece Missing’, written while she still a secondary student at Cork Life Centre, is the first in a series of planned books and packs a powerful punch as it drives home the reality of life with Aspergers. A former Blarney person of the month, Jessica is no stranger to awards being previously crowned the Foróige Innovator of the Year 2020, representing Ireland at the European Youth Entrepreneur Awards in Vienna in 2021 where she was awarded the Silver Medal in the ‘We Grow Category’. Other award winners included Elke O’ Mahony Bia Sásta, Sue Pamment The Website Chef, Mary Ring Mulcahy Magical Blarney at Blarney Woollen Mills, Corrinne Austin Corrinne’s Kitchen, and Fionnuala Collins Windy Acre Landscaping.
