Helen Keller

It has been said, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Helen Keller is an exemplar of this quote. Her blindness and deafness gave her a chance to develop the edification and change stereotypes of those with physical and mental challenges. She took this opportunity and made the best of it. Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on July 27, 1880. Nine months after birth she developed a high fever and was unconscious; she woke up blind, as well as deaf (Keller, Helen). Keller worked to progress and perfect education for those who were impaired (Helen Keller Contemporary). A person who improves lives of others without expecting anything in return is selfless. A determined person has their mind set on something and doesn't quit until their goal is accomplished. A kind individual is compassionate and has a soft heart. Helen Keller changed the lives of many with her selfless acts, determination and kind heart. 

Helen Keller believed that all people should have equal opportunities in life, no matter what their disabilities are. Through selfless actions Helen brightened the lives of others. We learn of Helen Keller's selfless actions in the article, "Helen Adams Keller", "In 1924 the American Foundation for the Blind sought Keller's assistance... For the next three years, Keller and Sullivan undertook meetings patterned after their vaudeville turn, generating great enthusiasm, raising considerable funds for the foundation, and providing them with modest recompense"(Dictionary of American Biography). Helen Keller cared about the well being of others, even when she was not well herself. She gave up three years of her life to service, in order for handicapped individuals to have a better future. She couldn't see or hear any of these people. This exemplifies that she had a will to help others, and took action. Finally, it should be argued that Helen Keller is described as selfless because of her efforts to improve education and lifestyles for handicapped individuals: "In 1909, Keller joined the Socialist party. It suited her desire to bring justice to all people, with special attention to those who were deaf, blind, or mentally retarded...she wrote and spoke in favor of Socialist principles and even considered running for office"(Dictionary of American Biography) . Helen Keller wanted to portray the concept that everyone needed an equal opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential. Her motivating words touched people because they knew that she shared a similar story. Helen wanted to change others lives, even at the cost of her own time and money. She thought the inabilities of handicapped people should not be barriers against them accomplishing their dreams. As we can see, Helen Keller had a number of trials, yet she changed the aspects of people's lives by contributing selfless acts to the community. 

Throughout her life she faced many hardships, but her determination helped her persevere through them. An illustration of determination is represented when Helen Keller strives to be able to speak and attend school regularly: "At age 10, Keller became determined to learn to speak, and attended the Horace Mann School for the Deaf, where she began the process" (World of Health). Helen knew it was going to be a struggle, but she was strong-minded and set on her goal of achieving success. She didn't want to be known as the "blind-deaf girl." She wanted to change the way people thought of her and others in a similar condition. She didn't stop until she made a meaningful transformation. Similarly, the Gale World of Health database states that, "...she was a committed socialist and progressive for her entire adult life, and she was one of the most prominent political commentators and activists of her time" (World of Health). Keller wanted to be the change. As it says, "for her entire adult life" (World of Health), she strived to help as much as she could and didn't stop until she passed away. She was one of the best of her generation and contributed to the happiness of countless people. Helen Keller wanted to make a difference; there was no doubt about that. Helen Keller knew she was different, but that did not stop her from anything. She was determined to make an impact on people and to succeed with her life. Because of her determination she is often referred to as a legacy. 

Helen Keller chose to lead her life kindly so others could live happily, by improving the lives of those in her society. The Gale World of Health database explains that Helen Keller had a kind heart, for example, "Raising money for the blind and deaf, Keller and Sullivan helped put a stop to the practice of placing all disabled children permanently in institutions"(World of Health). Helen Keller took hours out of her every day to organize fundraisers, as well as events that raised money for the blind and deaf.  Education was a high priority to her, and wanted to make it possible for others to receive a fair education. She knew how hard it was and through her kindness she made other people's lives a little bit happier.  Another essential point made by Anne Sullivan Macy, explains that Helen Keller's actions expresses her kindness. "I feel in every heartbeat that I belong to Helen, and it awes me when I think of it--this giving of one's life that another may live.... It is a privilege to love and minister to such a rare spirit"(Anne Sullivan Macy). This quote from Helen's teacher, furthermore companion, is evidence enough of Keller's sweet heart. Anne Sullivan was with Helen Keller from the start and knew everything about her; her happy moments and sad times. Yet Anne stayed. She never left Keller and to be able to say that it is a privilege to know her is just an incredible compliment to Helen Keller's behavior and heart. Even though Helen Keller had a difficult life, she made sure to be kind to others. 

Helen Keller has positively altered the lives of people with her selfless actions, determination and kind doings. Helen Keller was a woman who wanted to succeed and by fulfilling that ambition she assisted in helping others to progress. She demonstrates determination along with overcoming adversity. She put in the effort and got the best results.  Keller never gave up because she knew the end product would be worth it. Helen showed us that with courage and strength we can accomplish hard things. She used her own struggles to help teach others. She was an example of what others could become, as long as they were willing to put up with the endeavor. She was an inspiration to all who heard her lectures and gave people hope that they really could be triumphant. She cared about the futures of handicapped individuals and strived daily to make a difference. Through her good works and kind heart Keller has left a memorable legacy. She has many names; the blind-deaf girl, Helen, a miracle, but we all know her as inspiration.

Works Consulted

"Helen Adams Keller." Dictionary of American Biography. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1988. Biography In Context. Web. 7 May 2013.

"Helen Keller." Contemporary Heroes and Heroines. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 1990. Biography In Context. Web. 2 May 2013.

"Helen Adams Keller." World of Health. Gale, 2006. Biography In Context. Web. 8 May 2013.

Karen D. Thompson, Critical Essay on The Story of My Life, in Nonfiction Classics for Students, The Gale Group, 2001.

"Keller, Helen." UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History. Sonia Benson, Daniel E. Brannen, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. Vol. 5. Detroit: UXL, 2009. 847-849. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 7 May 2013.

"Keller, Helen." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. Ed. Laura B. Tyle. Vol. 6. Detroit: UXL, 2003. 1056-1058. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 9 May 2013.