Helen Keller was born June 27, 1880.
When she was born she could see and hear. But, when she was 18 months old she became sick and she lost her sight and hearing.
When Helen was 7 years old, Anne Sullivan, came to teach her. Helen's parents were told that Helen could learn how to talk with her hands.
Anne Sullivan had a lot teaching to catch up on. For 7 years Helen had lived in darkness.
Because Helen's parents loved her so much they had a hard time seeing her struggle. But, Anne knew that Helen needed to struggle to have a victory. 
After many long weeks, Helen finally had her first big victory! She finally understood that the letters being made with her fingers meant something.
W-A-T-E-R
Helen wouldn't stop learning. She wanted to know how to write just like everyone else.
And she did!!
After writing, she wanted to know how to talk. Anne told her that it would take a lot of work, but, Helen didn't care. She worked hard and her first sentence was, "I am not dumb now!".
Anne Sullivan's eyes hurt her very much. When she was younger she went blind and because of a surgery she was able to see again, but that surgery wasn't helping anymore...
Helen was determined to go to collage. Not just any collage though - Harvard. Anne told her that it would take a lot of work, and once again, Helen didn't care. And because of that, she had another huge victory!
She graduated with honors!
After many years, Anne Sullivan died.. but Helen remembered everything she taught her and kept on going. During World War 2, she went to hospitals where men had become blind from an injury during battle. She helped those men by giving them hope.
American Sign Language
This was her signature!
Helen Keller died June 1st, 1968. She was almost 88 years old, and in those 87 years of her life she conquered more mountains than most people who can see do! She didn't give up, she didn't loose hope. And because of that, many people who are blind or have an eye injury, have a hope as well.
Love in Christ,
Julia Ryan♥
Very interesting post, Julia! I like this series. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you like these series, Jess! Are there any ladies you would like to see in a Ladies in History post? :)
DeleteWow! Helen Keller's story is amazing! Learning to write while your blind!? I have a half uncle who is deaf, and uses sign language, which I've stared learning.
ReplyDeleteI know! Helen Keller was one determined person! :D Yeah, you told me once about your uncle! That is really neat that you are learning sign language. I am going to start learning it this fall for my second year of high school.
DeleteI just adore the story of Helen Keller. She was such an amazing person!
ReplyDeleteAmanda B.
www.southkakalakigirl.com
I agree! Have you ever watched "the miracle worker"? :) It is really good!
DeleteHelen Keller is definitely an inspiration to a lot of peple, including me. I can't even imagine losing my sight, but to lose her sense of hearing as well and still live to change lives - I think this leaves everyone else who have been blessed with complete and working senses with no excuse. - Ritter
ReplyDeleteYes! It would be a very difficult life. I mean, her whole world was around Anne and a few other people who knew sign language. Can you imagine how hard it would be to only be able to understand a small group of people? It would be very hard!
Delete