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

[Bronwen Tedesco]

Welcome to our next Member to Member! Today, we will get to know Kyra
Sweeney, our affiliate legislative director, chair of the scholarship
committee, and first Vice President on the board.


Kyra grew up in Santa Monica, California in Southern California. She grew
up a mile from the beach and enjoyed outdoor activities. Kyra was born with
Leber’s, a genetic eye condition. All throughout school, she attended
public school. When describing her experience as the only blind person, she
explained while it was challenging, it was a great experience because it
taught her how to make others comfortable with her blindness and helped in
college and work.


Kyra knew she was different from the others when she was six and told by a
director in musical theater that she could not be in the production because
she can’t see and might fall off the stage. She soon found another program
and in addition to musical theater, she was in band throughout grade
school. After graduating high school, she attended Pomona college an hour
from her in Claremont, California receiving a bachelors degree in public
policy then she attended the Colorado Center for the Blind. After
graduating from the center, she was a screen reader tester for two years
then she was accepted into Boston University law school, bringing her to
Massachusetts in 2019. She graduated in 2022, completing the Bar in 2024,
worked at the disability law center for a year, now currently works for
Health Law Advocates, a private law firm as a staff attorney.


Kyra was involved in the NFB from a young age. Her parents always had high
expectations, found a lot of different organizations’ philosophies
limiting, but aligned with the NFB, becoming involved. Kyra attended
national convention every year from the age of four. When reflecting on
that, she said, “When I was ten, my mom made me attend meetings. She said
no more time at the pool. It’s time to learn, and I’m very grateful. When I
was in high school, I grew to like the sessions. NFB has always been a big
part of my life.” When asked if she had any advice for people who recently
lost their vision or joined the NFB, she said, “Be patient with yourself.
Adjusting to losing vision is a difficult process. Connect with other blind
people especially those with similar interests. You have a bright future
ahead of you.”


Kyra currently lives independently in Boston and runs in Achilles, enjoys
hiking, reading, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. It has
been great getting to know you, Kyra! Stay tuned for our next Member to
Member!


Have a great week!


Sincerely,

Bronwen
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