Helen Adams Keller

Helen Keller During Her Middle Age Years (http://www.nndb.com/people/074/000046933/)

Helen Keller( b. 1880 d. 1968) is a very important historical figure that still plays a part of why people today respect handicaps more than what our society used to. Her perseverance, courage/bravery to stand up for what she thought was right, respect and generosity made her one of the most recognisable people of her time period.

When Helen was 2 years old, she had a horrible fever. Eventually it passed, but Helen was left blind and deaf. She was spoiled and acted like a "wild animal," until a helper for Helen, Annie Sullivan, also known to Helen as " Teacher." After Annie arrived, slowly Helen crept out of her lonely, dark world and began to work hard. There were many times that Annie or Helen just wanted to give up, but their perseverance together paid off and eventually Helen became the first handicapped person to attend a university.

There was no doubt that Helen Keller had her own strong opinion about politics and human rights. She often had the courage and bravery to talk about what the government was doing wrong, especially in a time of world wars. Helen wanted to get her opinion out, and I think that is a very strong trait in people.

Helen Keller Worldwide Foundation

Luckily, Helen's family was not poor, and as a young child she did not die of poor conditions. But in her era, many people who were blind or deaf or anyone handicapped had a hard time living. Helen did not think that was right, so she also did research, gave speeches, and helped raise money for many organizations, such as the American Foundation for the Blind and the American Foundation for the Overseas Blind, which is now called Helen Keller Worldwide. Because of her generosity, Helen Keller received many awards such as Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that an American civilian can receive, while helping blind/deaf kids and adults.

Helen Keller achieved many amazing things for a civilian because of her important traits that characterized her as a person. I admire Helen Keller because she encouraged equality and fairness to all people. It is important for all of us to treat each other equally, and because of Helen, society has changed and people have changed and have learned to treat each other with respect.