Helen Keller

Helen Keller is a hero because she had to live with a challenge her whole life. However, she had the ability to overcome limitations. Helen made her life have a purpose. She showed the world that not only could she do anything, other disabled people could too.

Helen Adams Keller was born to Arthur and Kate Keller on June 27th, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In January 1882, young Helen developed a high fever and lost her sight and hearing, only at the age of nineteen months. She grew up to be a wild child. Locking people in closets was her biggest prank. Once, she was making paper dolls with the cook’s daughter Martha, Helen accidentally cut Martha’s hair with scissors and they got in a fight. Helen’s mother finally stopped them when they were nearly bald. These pranks were okay until, Mildred, Helen’s baby sister, was born. Helen found Mildred in her most prized possession, her doll cradle. Helen toppled the cradle; luckily no one was hurt. Annie Sullivan, a student at Perkin’s institute for Blind came to help Helen. She took Helen for a walk and told Helen that she would her teacher by spelling “t-e-a-c-h-e-r” into Helen’s palm; of course Helen didn’t know what it meant. As they walked Annie spotted a water pump and put Helen’s hand under, then took it out and spelled “w-a-t-e-r” into her palm again, for once Helen knew what it meant! The cold rushing water felt good on her hands and she was glad.

Helen Keller had many challenges. Her biggest challenge, of course, was because her blindness and deafness. When Helen was shopping with Annie she received the news that her dog, Lioness, got shot because she had no collar. When Helen was ten, she moved with Annie and attended Perkin’s institute for the blind. Annie’s eye got worst and Helen was very nervous. Annie had to have surgery on her eye and it didn’t go well at first, after it was a huge success. While in a class, Helen received a phone call from her Mom saying that she and Helen’s Dad were now divorced. When Helen was older she met Polly Thomson, an aid who helped Helen with her troubles. One day, Polly was absent and Peter Fagan took her place. He and Helen fell in love. Peter got marriage license for him and Helen, but when Helen’s Mom found out, she was furious. When Peter came to pick Helen up to get married, Helen’s Mother scared him away. Helen’s Mom sent Helen to Mildred’s house. Peter would not give up and called Helen. Helen had waited all night and he didn’t even show up. In 1936 Annie had died, which related to her eyes. Helen was very miserable. “I still remember t-e-a-c-h-e-r.” said Helen.

Helen Keller had many contributions. She gave us many things. She was a founding member of the American Braille Press, a publishing company of Braille books. It was founded after World War I to aid blinded soldiers and sailors. She created the Helen Keller Endowment fund; it was used to held blind and deaf people with their education and jobs. She was also a founding member for the AFB (American Foundation for the blind). The AFB is a charity that Remembers and dedicates to Louis Braille (The creator of Braille) and the blind.

Helen Keller had many awards, recognitions and honors. Helen was friends with Alexander Graham Bell. She credits him with bringing her from isolation to friendship, knowledge and love. Helen won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It recognizes individuals who have made a contribution to the security or national interests of the United States. She is recognized for many of her plays and poems. One play she is memorized for the most is the Miracle Worker. If you visit the hero hall of fame you can see her stone. The woman’s hall of fame is located in Seneca Falls, New York.

Helen Keller has many character traits. Helen Keller was very loving. When Helen was older, she visited the injured veterans. Another reason is, when Annie was ill Helen stayed by her side. Helen Keller was also courageous. She gave money to a little boy named Tommy Stringer who couldn’t afford to go school. She also gave money to poor. Helen also was a part-time teacher at Perkin’s institute for the blind. Helen Keller was also very helpful. She helped all people, so they respected her. She also helped many Braille publishing companies.

In conclusion, she died June 1st, 1968, from a heart attack. Only a few weeks until her birthday, June 27th. She was a great woman, and because of her greatness she was considered a hero. She is still remembered to this very day.

“They took away what should have been my eyes, but I remembered Milton’s Paradise. They took away what should have been my ears, but Beethoven came and wiped my tears. They took away what should have been my tongue, but I have talked to God when I was young. He would not let them take my soul – possessing that I still possess the world.”
- Helen Keller