Copyright 1999 by Susanne M. Alexander
The Shifting Times

THE STRONG VOICE OF ERIN BYRNE

Strength, determination, passion and discipline vibrate in Erin Kendyll Byrne's voice, whether it's filling an auditorium with music, talking about her goals or advocating for the disabled. "Singing is my prime thing, my goal in life," she said in a recent interview.

When the clear, pure notes of a Puccini opera soar from her soul, you instantly forget she's only 15, blind since birth and in a wheelchair for many years. Her voice has a power, clarity and truth that instantly connects the audience to her, causing every movement to still and every ear to listen to the nuances of melody and spirit. In many ways, music gives her vision.

"If I have a vision, I just go forward and strive for and complete my goals, I don't worry about my disabilities," said Erin, a resident of Canton. She describes a strong person as, "somebody who is determined, who has a goal and gets where they want to go, who faces opposition and barriers in life, and also has strong inspiration. I know that God, family and friends are all there."

The Byrne's are members of the Bahá'í Faith, a religion that places strong emphasis on unity and acceptance of all people. "In the Bahá'í teachings, they don't look at differences," said Erin, "they celebrate and acknowledge them. Everyone has them."

When the Bahá'ís of Canton gather for meetings, Erin is often asked to sing. "She is wonderfully generous about sharing her beautiful voice," said Shirley Bascom, a member of the Bahá'í group. "When she sings for us at Bahá'í meetings, I forget that I had been tired after a long, busy day. She inspires us all and helps us remember what our real priorities are. We've known her for ten years and cannot remember a single time when she has not been cheerful, optimistic and loving."

Erin also lists her family's support as a foundation for her, and she especially appreciates their strong sense of humor. Her mother Theresa laughingly agrees, "We always took the whole disability stuff seriously from an advocacy point of view, in terms of getting other people where they needed to be, but never got too carried away with the tragedy of it all."

Except telling Erin she couldn't be a bus driver, Theresa and her husband Tom have told their four children to make their own goals, dreams and visions, and they would figure out how to get them there. Erin and her 21-year old brother, Nick, both have osteoporosis pseudoglioma syndrome. This is a recessive genetic condition involving a decreased production of collagen in bones combined with a mass of tissue that dislodges the retina, preventing vision. Another brother, Steve, has struggled with learning disabilities. Theresa has been a strong advocate for access to social and educational opportunities on behalf of their own children and for other parents.

Erin's 18-year old sister, Lauren, teases her regularly, takes her clothes shopping and also views her with a great deal of respect. "Erin is the most understanding person I'll probably ever meet. She's like a 30-year old in this 15-year old body. She's so mature for her age and so disciplined. She just amazes me every day, and she's an inspiration to me."

"Erin is more public than most kids with disabilities," said Theresa. It's not fun to be a role model, but in a sense, just being one of the group makes her by default almost a role model." Erin has been part of regular school classes almost throughout her school years. Oral tests, special Braille devices, supportive friends and flexible teachers all make it possible. She is currently a sophomore at Glen Oak High School, where she is also a member of "The Notables," a select vocal ensemble.

The 70-voice Bahá'í One World Choir concert held in Canton last November was a unique experience for Erin. The choir members gathered from around the country and sang as a group for the first time. They featured Erin as a soprano soloist on two numbers, one a piece from Puccini and one a musical version of a Bahá'í quote. Portions of the concert were aired on PBS in February, with Erin singing "Wither can a lover go but to the land of his Beloved? and what seeker findeth rest away from his heart's desire?" She learned this piece for the concert. Erin described the music from the concert as "very uplifting."

Scouting is Erin's other very active, very public activity, and her mother is a Community Membership Director for the Great Trail Girl Scout Council. From the beginning, Erin has insisted on fully participating in everything, from campfires to canoeing. "If I hadn't been a Girl Scout, I might have grown up believing that there were many things that I couldn't do," Erin said, "and it is also FUN!"

"From a very young age, Erin's wanted to have the freedom to learn like other kids learn," said Theresa, "and have those experiences without someone's good intentions stopping her." Erin has learned to be politely vocal about wanting to participate, and she has become open to sharing herself and encouraging questions from others.

Even in Girl Scouts, singing shows up with her. She was chosen to be part of a 120-voice international ensemble who recorded "The Wind Beneath Our Wings," Girl Scouts/Legend Productions Greatest Hits, Volume 2. The girls gathered in Hawaii in July 1998, to sing together for the first time and make the CD recording. Erin recorded part of a solo on the song Shalom Chaverim. Of course she also fell in love with swimming in the ocean there...

Another love in Erin's life is languages. "She has such a good ear and listens carefully," said Theresa. "She picks up fine nuances of what's she's hearing in language and music. She's able to discern very intricate details of what she's hearing and interpret it."

Erin is studying Spanish in school, which helps her sing in Italian. She also sings in French, German, English and occasionally in other languages. Although she loves the musicality of opera and its varied story lines, she also enjoys singing Broadway tunes, folk music and Disney songs.

In order to continue expanding her musical abilities, Erin is taking on specialized training in reading Braille music. Her piano teacher is concert pianist Nicolas Constantinidis of Akron and her voice teacher is Michael Canestraro of Canton. "I'm probably going to have another 10 years of studying music," said Erin, "before I get to where I want to be as a vocal recitalist or voice teacher."

The family is now evaluating college opportunities with Erin. She becomes angry and frustrated at schools that haven't made their campuses accessible to people with disabilities, which limits her choices. Also a challenge are public places that have made accessibility possible for audiences but not for performers.

When she talks about her love of makeup and movies, Erin sounds like most other teenagers. Theresa comments, though, on Erin's different approach to life. "She doesn't seem to struggle with some of the adolescent ups and downs as some kids do. She has a centered vision of what she wants in life, and she has dealt with so many difficulties with grace. I think, in part, it's because she has a strong foundation and connection to faith. It's an innate connection that gives her a strength to do what she needs to do and stay focused."

Erin is a strong power of example for able and disabled alike. "I feel it is my obligation to use and develop the gifts and talents I have to their fullest potential," she said. "In this way people will be able to look past my disabilities and see the positive results of my love and music. I have come to an understanding that all you need to do is do it and not worry about your barriers. Then you always will succeed."