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Anne Sullivan

by Rebecca: 4th Grade Saddle River Day School USA

A  portrait of Anne Sullivan (http://www.go.ednet.ns.ca/lawrencetown/anne4.jpg)
A portrait of Anne Sullivan (http://www.go.ednet.ns.ca/lawrencetown/anne4.jpg)

To me a hero is someone brave, someone with courage, someone with patience. That is why Anne Sullivan is my hero. It takes patience and courage to teach someone deaf, blind, and mute without getting frustrated.

Anne Sullivan Macy was born on April 14, 1866 in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. When Anne was 3 years old, she began having trouble with her eyesight because of a bacterial infection. After a number of surgeries her vision was partially restored. Anne's mother died and her father abandoned her and her brother Jimmie. In 1876, Anne and her brother were sent to a poorhouse. Then in 1880 Jimmie died in the poorhouse. After that Anne went to The Perkins Institute for the blind in 1880. Six years later in 1886 she graduated.

In 1887 Anne became a teacher. She also met Helen Keller for the first time in 1887. Anne taught Helen, even thought Helen was deaf, blind, and mute. Anne taught her by spelling words on Helen's hand. The first words Annie spelled was Doll and then Cake. Helen didn't understand the words at first.

The way Anne was teaching Helen is amazing, considering nobody else could help her. It was very courageous to teach someone deaf, blind, and mute without getting frustrated. When Anne was teaching she wouldn't be able to show Helen pictures because Helen is blind. She would not be able to speak to Helen because she is deaf. It is so amazing how Anne was so calm while teaching. Anne was persistent because she never stopped teaching; she even moved in with Helen (that's how persistent she was).

In 1936 Anne Sullivan died. On June 1st 1968, Helen Keller died. If I ever became deaf, blind, and mute I would want a teacher like Annie Sullivan. Helen was very lucky to have a teacher like Anne.

Page created on 4/19/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 4/19/2010 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.