The Early Life and Challenges of Helen Keller
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| Helen Keller |
What was Helen Keller famous for?, Did Helen Keller have a baby?, What was Helen Keller's first word?, Did Helen Keller ever speak?, In this article, we will learn about glimpses of the life of Helen Keller.
Helen Keller was born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA, She came from prominent New England families; her father, Colonel Arthur Keller, served in the Confederate army, and her mother, Kate Adams, hailed from a notable lineage.
The period was marked by the aftermath of the Civil War, which severely impacted Helen’s family finances, reducing them to modest living conditions.
In 1885, her father sought to improve their situation by opening a local newspaper in northern Alabama.
Later, he was appointed as a general or marshal in the same region, which stabilized their circumstances somewhat.
Helen was born a healthy child but contracted an unknown illness at 19 months old, which left her both blind and deaf.
The illness, believed to be either scarlet fever or rubella, dramatically altered her life, leading her to grow up as a spirited and unruly child.
Helen Keller's Journey of Education and Empowerment
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| Anne Sullivan www.trustpast.net |
At the age of six, Helen Keller was examined by Alexander Graham Bell, who took a keen interest in her case and arranged for a special teacher, Anne Sullivan, from the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston, Massachusetts.
Anne began working with Helen in March 1887 and remained her dedicated teacher and companion until her death in October 1936.
Anne Sullivan, the daughter of impoverished Irish immigrants, had struggled with vision problems herself and underwent numerous unsuccessful surgeries before partially regaining her sight.
Despite being only fourteen years older than Helen, Anne’s exceptional teaching abilities transformed Helen’s life.
Anne initially focused on teaching Helen obedience and politeness, She then requested that Helen’s parents allow them to move to a country house for two weeks, where Helen could focus solely on learning.
Helen quickly mastered manual skills and learned to spell letters and connect them to form words, Her progress in arranging and spelling words was remarkable.
In 1890, Helen attended the Horace Mann School for the Deaf to take speech lessons, followed by the Wright-Humason School for the Deaf in New York City, where she honed her communication skills and pursued academic studies.
By 1896, Helen was determined to attend university and enrolled in the Cambridge School for Young Ladies.
Her growing fame brought her into contact with notable figures, including the celebrated author Mark Twain, who introduced her to Henry Huttleston Rogers, a Standard Oil executive.
Rogers generously funded Helen’s education at Radcliffe College, where Anne Sullivan continued to support her by interpreting texts and lectures.
Helen Keller’s Advocacy and Humanitarian Contributions
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| Polly Thompson with Helen Keller |
Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe College in 1904 and subsequently joined the Socialist Party.
She wrote extensively for socialist publications, addressing issues related to women’s voting rights and advocating for access to birth control.
Her writings and activism showcased her commitment to addressing social inequalities.
Helen also played a pivotal role in establishing "Helen Keller International," a foundation dedicated to combating malnutrition and mitigating the side effects of vision loss.
This organization remains a testament to her dedication to improving the lives of others.
Her involvement with the Socialist Party may have been influenced by her close friendship with John Macy, a prominent socialist critic and Harvard University lecturer.
Macy, who was married to Helen’s teacher, Anne Sullivan, undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping her political and social views.
Helen Keller’s Later Years and Global Influence
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| Helen Keller with John F. Kennedy |
In 1932, Anne Sullivan completely lost her sight, prompting Helen Keller to hire Polly Thompson as a secretary to assist both herself and Anne.
After Anne's passing in 1936, Helen continued her impactful work, Between 1946 and 1957, she served as an international relations consultant for an organization supporting the blind.
During this period, Helen embarked on an extensive tour of Asia, covering 40,000 miles over five months.
Her journey included numerous inspiring speeches that touched the lives of countless individuals, emphasizing hope and resilience.
Helen Keller’s extraordinary life also inspired various dramatic works.
Her biography served as the basis for the acclaimed television drama The Miracle Worker, which was later adapted for the Broadway stage in 1959, further cementing her legacy as a symbol of perseverance and determination.
The Final Chapter of Helen Keller's Remarkable Life
In 1960, Helen Keller suffered a stroke, and by 1961, she retired to her home in Westport, Connecticut.
Her final public appearance was in the same year at a special meeting of the Washington International Foundation, where she was honored with the Lions Humanitarian Award for her tireless advocacy and contributions to programs for the blind.
During this period, she also met President John F. Kennedy, one of several U.S. presidents she encountered throughout her extraordinary life.
Helen Keller passed away on June 1, 1968, at the age of 88, In accordance with her wishes, her body was cremated, and her ashes were interred at St. Joseph's Chapel in Washington National Cathedral.
She now rests alongside her beloved companions, Anne Sullivan and Polly Thompson, symbolizing a lifelong journey of friendship, perseverance, and service to humanity.