[Massachusetts-NFB] Member to Member Getting to Know Each Other

[Theadora Hadzisavidis]

Bronwen thank you for such a wonderful experience being interviewed by you.
I just have to make three corrections i have 1 brother. It is Annette Davis
Harris who asked me to go to state convention with her in 2013, lastly I
enjoy bowling as a hobby.
I want to thank Shara for being state president she inspired me to run for
president in 2021 her positivity.l. cooperation and lovely personality
mentoring me throughout is invaluable!

Thank you to all the federationists you inspire me daily
Theadora Williams
president of the
National Federation
of the blind of Greater
Springfield Inc. Chapter

On Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 2:02 PM Bronwen Tedesco via Massachusetts-NFB <
massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Welcome to our next Member to Member! Today we will get to know Theadora
> Williams, Springfield Chapter and board member.
>
>
> Theadora was born in Thesaloniki, the second largest city in Greece where
> she lived with her parents and two brothers. She thought that she had
> trouble seeing because when her mom would point things out to her, she
> would have trouble seeing them. When she was eight, she was told she had
> cataracts, later on being diagnosed. She realized something was different
> when she was in fourth grade and struggled to see the board. She went on to
> express that because of that, she sacrificed time having fun to be a good
> student. When she was twelve years old, she moved to the US. Not only did
> she need a proper diagnosis, but her mom was an immigrant, the US felt like
> home to her, and she wanted to return. She soon learned she had an optic
> atrophy. After graduating high school, she majored in liberal arts
> economics at Mount Holyoke, graduating with a bachelors degree in 2007. In
> college, she had the same experience of having to sacrifice free time to be
> a good student. She landed a job as a junior contract analyst then was laid
> off in 2010. It was then that she went back to the eye doctor and was
> officially diagnosed with Leber’s Atrophy. She was then referred to the
> Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and learned about resources
> available to blind people. She found part time job as a front desk
> assistant at the South Hadley library.
>
>
> Theadora discovered the NFB in 2012. As part of a blindness group called
> the Visionary Club, she was told about the NFB and participated in her
> first state convention in 2013. She continued to be involved. The support,
> someone she enjoyed spending time with, and her growing enthusiasm about
> the cause and making a change kept her involved, soon  becoming the vice
> president of the Springfield Chapter in 2021, then be president in 2022
> when she attended her first National convention. In 2023, she became a
> board member as well. When asked if there was any advice she had for anyone
> who has recently lost their vision or joined the NFB, she said, “It is not
> the end. Be positive. You can still do all the things you used to. You just
> have to learn to do them a different way.” She lives by the quote “Vision
> is not the same as sight,” by Annette Harris Davis, who introduced her to
> the NFB. She currently lives with her husband Allen and her two rabbits and
> enjoys bulling and going to the movies. It’s been great getting to know you
> Theadora! Stay tuned for our next Member to Member!
>
>
> Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year! Can't wait to get to know
> more of you!
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bronwen
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