Principal of St John the Baptist's College in Portadown praises teenager's positivity after being diagnosed with a brain tumour on his 16th birthday

Joel McGarry joined St John the Baptist’s College in Portadown in September of 2018 and was a happy and very active pupil who enjoyed all aspects of school life and particularly sport.

However, his life changed forever in August 2019 after he took a seizure and began to have difficulties with concentration and headaches. On July 25, 2022 – his 16th birthday - he was informed he had a brain tumour.

Joel was advised that he was at risk of losing his mobility and had emergency life-changing surgery on his brain in September 2022, the same year he was to undertake his GCSE exams.

Joel’s mum Leona McGarry recalls the moment he woke from surgery, saying: “I am alive”.

The brave teenager’s positivity and smiles have prevailed throughout his journey and he has since undergone many tests to ascertain the route of his tumour, eventually being diagnosed with Ganglioglioma, a very rare type.

Despite his diagnosis, Joel persevered with his studies as much as possible but couldn’t play sport which was a major blow for him.

Noella Murray, principal of St John the Baptist’s College, described Joel as a pupil who stands out among the Class of 2023, having overcome extreme adversity and against all the odds to achieve eight strong GCSE qualifications.