Multi-talented Ronan Tynan beats odds

CINDY WOOD/independent feature writer

The odds were against Ronan Tynan from the beginning. Born with phocomelia, a condition that caused the underdevelopment of his legs, his childhood could have easily been spent on the sidelines. But Ronan Tynan not only wanted to be in the game, he wanted to be the star.

Despite his disabilities, Tynan grew up much like any other child, and enjoyed his passion for riding horses and motorcycles. Self-described as “wild as a March hare,” Tynan’s life took another twisted turn when a severe auto accident at the age of 20 forced the amputation of his leg, and threatened to stifle the ambitious young man.

But he pressed on, and within weeks of his accident, he was maneuvering the steps of his college dorm. A short time later, Tynan won a gold medal at the Paralympics. Heeding his mother’s advice to follow his dreams, Tynan went on to win 18 gold medals and break 14 world records in multiple events. It was 10 years of his life he will never forget, Tynan said.

“They were some of the greatest years of my life. I wanted to win, and I wanted to leave a mark, and I did. It was just a very successful time for me.”

His achievements didn’t end there. Pushed by his parents to go further — and reach higher — Tynan became the first handicapped person admitted to the National College of Physical Education, and took full advantage of the opportunities awarded him by becoming a doctor specializing in orthopedic sports injuries.

It didn’t take long before opportunity came knocking once again. “My father and I always enjoyed a wonderful relationship, and I used to sing with him all the time,” Tynan said. “I kept thinking I should do something with it, but at the time I was doing medicine. At some point, I guess I just decided ‘why not?’”

That simple decision led Tynan down a road of remarkable achievement that soon found him performing for world leaders. In 2004, Tynan performed in front of a television audience of 35 million, singing  “Amazing Grace” and “Ave Maria” at the funeral of former president Ronald Reagan.

For Tynan, it was a huge honor to be personally invited by former First Lady Nancy Reagan. “I was very nervous,” he said, adding that 19 world leaders were in the audience. “I was up at 4 a.m. and warmed up at 9, and was singing two hours later. I’m fortunate I didn’t have more time on my hands as nervous as I was. But it was a huge honor. A massive honor.”

Since that time, he has performed at numerous notable events, including the 80th birthday of George H.W. Bush, as well as the wedding of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

His debut album, which allowed him to spread his wings from his Irish tenor days, reached No. 2 on Billboard’s classical crossover chart. He’s appeared on “Primetime Live,” “Good Morning America,” “The 700 Club”, and numerous other high-profile shows. The Dublin, Ireland, native is now one of the most sought-after motivational speakers throughout the nation, and he will soon bring that enthusiasm to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

While Tynan has performed for prestigious world leaders, in front of millions, nothing tops singing for his parents, whom he credits with instilling the passionate drive that has carried him throughout his career. “There’s absolutely no feeling better than performing for my parents,” he said. “It’s extremely humbling, and I can’t think of anything better.”

Tynan is in the midst of a world tour that will take him all over the U.S., as well as China, a performance which he anxiously awaits. “I’ve never been to China, so I’m very much looking forward to that,” he said, adding that each performance, in each city, is quite different.

“It keeps things interesting,” he added. “I try not to make any place a favorite, because then you won’t give the other performances the right kind of attention.”

Tynan will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. Friday, September 14, at the NPAC. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the NPAC box office or at www.npacvw.org. Tynan will present a concert, accompanied by the Lima Symphony Orchestra, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 15. Tickets are $22-$52 and are available now.

Both events are part of the NPAC’s five-year Gala Celebration to open the 2012-2013 season.