Helen Keller

Helen when she was a little girl

Helen was born in June 27, 1888. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Her father was a Captain and his name was Arthur Keller. Her mother was Kate Keller. When Helen was 18 months old, she got very sick. There was no medicine back then to help her get well. When she got better, Helen was deaf, blind and could not speak. She was suddenly cut off from the world. Helen made up her own way to communicate with her family, but no one else could understand her. Her parents wanted her to learn how to communicate, so they hired a special teacher, named Annie Sullivan. Annie tried to teach Helen how to understand words, but Helen did not understand.

Helen and Ann Sullivan

Annie worked very hard with Helen. They moved to a small cottage on the Keller's property. Annie worked hard every day teaching Helen sign language, but Helen did not understand. Then all of a sudden, one day they were at the water pump and Helen understood what Annie was trying to tell her. Then she learned how to sign many words. Helen was able to go to a special school called the Perkins School. Helen worked very hard and also learned how to speak. Helen also went to college. She went to Radcliffe College. She met lots of wonderful people who were inspired by her story. She met Alexander Graham Bell, the King and Queen of England and all the Presidents of the United States.

Helen wanted to help others who were also deaf and blind. She went to places and talked to people about her experiences and how important it is to have determination. She raised a lot of money for The American Foundation for the Blind. She wrote a book that was called "Light in my Darkness".

Helen died on June 1, 1968. She was almost 86 years old.

We are inspired by Helen Keller because she was very determined to learn at home and at the Perkins School. She understood how to communicate when Annie Sullivan taught her. She also learned to read by using Braille. We learn that if we have a challenge like Helen did, we will have to work very hard. We also know that teachers can help us learn, just like Annie Sullivan taught Helen.