Helen Keller

Helen meets Anne

On June 27, 1880, a girl was born in a house in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She got very sick when she about one and a half. Her illness caused her to lose hearing and sight. When she was older, she started throwing tantrums to get what she wanted. That’s when her parents decided they should hire a tutor. The tutor's name was Anne. Anne taught her how to talk by making a symbol in her hand. In case you haven’t figured it out yet, the girl who became blind and deaf was Helen Keller. Helen has inspired many people, despite being born in somewhat of a small town, and having some large obstacles in her life.

Helen has inspired many people across the country. To do this, she traveled all over, and made many speeches. In her speeches, she told of her life and beliefs. She also learned to speak by feeling a person's lips move as the person was speaking. A movie was made about her life, but it was not what she had hoped for. Ann traveled with her on her journeys, to help her communicate. Her inspiration is still alive today.

Helen Keller with friends

As I said, Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on June 27, 1880. Tuscumbia is a town in northwest Alabama. It was first settled around 1786. Her birth place is now called the “Ivy Green.” If you go to Tuscumbia today, you can visit the Ivy Green. In addition to just visiting her house, you can also go inside and tour it.

Helen and German Shepard Guide Dog

She has achieved many things, and was very courageous. One thing she did was learn to talk, despite being blind and deaf. She also spoke inspiring words, to millions far and near. Her life was almost normal, despite her disabilities. She did things that most people, including me, wouldn’t think possible. Helen Keller is known to many people as “The First Lady of Courage," and she is definitely known as that to me.

I am one of the people Helen inspired. She taught me many things, such as: every one is different, and everyone should be respected for his or her differences. She also taught me that you can achieve the impossible if you believe in miracles. The most important thing would probably be that everyone is different on the outside, but the inside is what really counts! Have you ever said something, and someone has gotten something different out of it than you meant? That is what her words are like for me. Her words are about the small picture, but they teach you about the big picture, and the importance of how you treat people.

The first word that Helen Keller understood the meaning of was water. Anne took her out to the water pump, and wrote w.a.t.e.r. in her hand, put Helen’s hand under the water pump, and turned it on. This gave Helen's world a whole new perspective. Even though Helen is no longer here, her message is: if you believe in something, you can make it happen. Remember these words all your life; they will help you, and you will learn from them. So, if it weren't for one determined student, teacher, and water, we wouldn’t have Helen's amazing words.