<p><strong>The woman</strong><br />Geraldine Ryan's first visit to Korea was as a missionary with the nuns of Saint Columbia in 1975. Her major was nursing and she had served at a catholic hospital for six years. While she was in the hospital, she saw children with brain inflammation who eventually developed severe mental retardation. She decided to devote her time caring for these children with difficulties. When she returned home, she wanted to learn how to better help children with special needs.</p><p><strong>Her fight: « Myeongdo welfare center »</strong><br />Geraldine Ryan returned to Korea in 1984 and set up sheltered housing for the disabled, calling it Life Community. She also operated the Myeong-Do welfare centre in 1992 with the help of government grants. This facility was designed to provide specific facilities: rehabilitation training, medical service, education, consultations and job opportunities for the mentally disabled. It is a place that gives hope to those who need it most.</p><p><strong>What about now?</strong><br />By immediately helping those with special needs and giving them a carer, the facility ensures an early diagnosis so the right treatments can be delivered as quickly as possible.</p>
