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| Helen Keller in her graduation outfit |
When Helen Keller realized words exist, she began to speak constantly to Annie Sullivan (Helen's personal teacher/tutor), by spelling words onto her hand. She then wanted to learn to write. Helen would only attend school when Annie thought she was ready. At age 6, Helen was able to attend the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Watertown, MA. Unlike most of her classmates Helen adored learning. As Helen was growing up she had her heart set on attending Radcliffe College, a famous university for women. In preparation for her entrance examination, Helen had to study extra hard at a school that was not only for the blind or deaf children. Helen learned to read Braille, something she was having difficulties with in the past. All of Helen's hard work paid off in the end, when she passed all of her exams and entered Radcliffe College in 1900. At age 24, Helen graduated Radcliffe College with great honours. Before Helen had met Annie she would have but many tantrums like normal children of her age. Some of which happened because she could not communicate what so ever with the people around her. When Helen met Alexander Graham Bell she felt as if she had found her first true friend. It just so happens that Dr.Bell was the person who introduced Annie to Helen. Helen Keller like regular people had many hobbies that she would do during her spare time. Helen adored canoeing and sailing as well as singing jazz up on stage.Ordinary Person:
Helen Keller is the author of many books. Her books include "The Story of My Life" (1902), "The World I Live In" (1908), Out of the Dark (1913), "Helen Keller's Journal" (1938) and much more.Extraordinary Person:
Helen is a great supporter of the blind and of the deaf people as well as socialism and women's rights. Helen also founded and promoted the American Foundation for the Blind in New York, 1921.
Helen Keller has been on many lecture tours after writing about blindness for magazines. People all over the world were interested to know about a blind person's life. Helen was also interested in politics and did not agree with only men being allowed to vote and children being forced to work.
Helen could not see, hear or speak which made it very difficult for her to communicate. To make matters worse she was judged quite often because she could not see, hear or speak. Helen went through the first few years of her life not knowing a single thing. Helen had a rough childhood with no friends to play with. She was unable to do as many things as a regular person. For example she wasn't able to go for a walk alone because she wouldn't know where she was going or how to get back.Odds Stacked againest Helen:
With the help of Annie, Helen learns to live her life with a different perspective for the benefit of herself. Although Helen is still judged she has become an inspiration to many people around the world. Helen is able to prove that people that are unable to see, hear, or speak can do anything. Helen was also able to communicate by spelling words onto the person's hand or by reading a person�s lips with her fingers.Helen Prevails:
Page created on 10/23/2006 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 10/23/2006 12:00:00 AM
