Helen Keller

Helen was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880. At nine months old, she was diagnosed blind and deaf caused by a damaging brain fever. As a toddler, Helen’s parents had a hard time handling her during her fits. Helen would throw temper tantrums because she didn’t understand much because of her lack of hearing and sight. So to help handle her, Helen’s parents hired a teacher to teach her sign language and Braille. Also to help her with her tantrums.

Later in life, Helen accomplished the unthinkable. Helen graduated from high school and went to college. She even graduated from college and became an author and writer. And all of her success is thanks to Annie. Annie taught Helen Braille and sign language, and was there to help her through the lectures in the college classes.

Helen did a lot to help the blind and deaf. In 1915, she and George Kessler founded the Helen Keller International (HKI) organization. This organization is devoted to research in vision, health and nutrition. Also, Helen worked for the American Foundation for the Blind for more than 40 years. "Helen's own approach to life can be summed up by her advice to a five-year-old blind child in 1932: 'Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face.'"

"Helen and Annie traveled to over 39 countries, making several trips to Japan and becoming a favorite of the Japanese people. Helen met every US President from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson and was friends with many famous figures, including Alexander Graham Bell, Charlie Chaplin, and Mark Twain."