On this day in 1887, Anne Sullivan begins teaching six year old Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing after a severe illness at the age of 19 months. Under Sullivan's guidance Keller flourished, eventually graduating from college and becoming an international lecturer and activist. Sullivan, later called "the miracle worker," remained Keller's interpreter and constant companion until here passing in 1936. Anne Sullivan, born in Massachusetts in 1866, had experience being handicapped herself, as a child, an infection impaired her vision. She then attended the Perkins Institution for the Blind where she learned the manual alphabet in order to communicate with a classmate who was deaf and blind. Eventually, Sullivan had several operations that improved her weakened eyesight.
Helen Adams Keller was born on 27 June 1880. As a baby, who was afflicted with scarlet fever, left Helen unable to see, hear or speak. She was considered a bright but spoiled and strong willed child. Her parents eventually sought the advice of Alexander Graham Bell formerly from Hamilton, Ontario the inventor of the telephone and an authority on the deaf. He suggested Helens' parents to contact the Perkins Institution, which in turn recommended Anne Sullivan as a teacher. Sullivan, aged 20, arrived at Ivy Green, the Keller family estate, in 1887 and began working to socialize her wild, stubborn student and teach her by spelling out words in Keller's hand. Initially, the finger spelling meant nothing to Keller. However, a breakthrough occurred one day when Sullivan held one of Keller's hands under water from a pump and spelled out "water" in Keller's palm. Keller went on to learn how to read, write and speak. With Sullivan's assistance, Keller attended Radcliffe College and graduated with honors in 1904.
Helen Keller became a public speaker and author; her first book, ‘The Story of My Life’ was published in 1902. She was also a fundraiser for the American Foundation for the Blind and an advocate for racial and sexual equality.
~ All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.~
Helen Keller
I remember seeing a play "The Miracle Worker" in high school and was amazed and left so upbeat by this story. Helen Keller's overcoming of her problems makes any thing I've ever had to overcome seem so very, very slight.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of these wonderful women, Jack, and this rare historical film.
I think I would like to find her book "The Story Of Her Life". I like reading about people and their trials and tribulations. Other folk go through so much. My life is easy compared to people from poor nations. Yet, everyone has their own problems but if you pull yourself up you can be an inspiration to everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy father had the opportunity to meet her - I wish I had been with him on that trip.
ReplyDeleteShe and her teacher were amazing women.
ReplyDeleteI love the movie about her...What a inspiration she was to all of us
ReplyDeleteYour welcome Doug. Actually I had done this write before and it is as you say. I don't know how she was able to do what she did. And it's literally is a combination of a miracle as well as determination.
ReplyDeleteI never read on here seemingly this computer is much better than my other and she was and is an example - mind you not just herself but those that surrounded here as well.
ReplyDeleteNo way! This would have been something beyond comprehension Grammy.
ReplyDeleteAnne Sullivan without any doubts I don't think gets enough credit within this case. As if it was not for Anne, to be honest Patty I don't think Hellen would have got to where she is. I really don't.
ReplyDeleteYet she did....
Julie the two that ( oh man its winter out there ) ok sorry.
ReplyDeleteI find that there is a certain something within people as Helen. I never saw the movie on here but there is my own library that I had to place in storage and within my first three years as a kid when I came into Canada - especially when I was at this Academy. I literally spent nearly all my time reading and reading.
She, Anne Frank, Victor Hugo, and a few others I found inspired me.
she is a very inspiring person
ReplyDeleteSuch courage she showed, an inspiring story to all of us.
ReplyDeleteI've always admired her. I had the book from the library last summer. Also got the movie from there and watched it with my grand daughter.
ReplyDelete"~ All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming.~"
Helen Keller
She would know for sure and also her teacher who was an amazing woman as well
Very much so. " All the world suffering. It's also full of over coming ". I found that quote to be
ReplyDeletesomething that still applies today. In more ways than one Cheryl.