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Helen
Adams Keller was born in June 27, 1880. A blind and deaf from
infancy, Helen Keller won over these disabilities and became
one of the world's most admirable legends. She achieved things
which most of us, able bodied, would waive out as 'impossible'.
Perhaps it was because of her spirit so undaunted, attitude so
challenging, yet a heart so tender and a mind so religious. Her
love, care and concern for others, especially the disabled
ones, made her a saint without sainthood.
Helen's early childhood was a real miserable one. When she was
only 19 months' old, she was unfortunately left blind and deaf
by an illness. She was unruly and wild with no formal education
until she was seven. But it was Anne Sullivan who changed her
altogether, like a magician changing something with a magic
wand,.
Sullivan reached Keller's mind through the sense of touch,
having used the manual alphabet, to spell words in the girl's
hand. She also used practical situations, such as having the
child feel water as it came from the pump and spelling it in
her hand at the same time. Now Keller learned rapidly. And by
the time she had gone to Perkins Institution at ten, she could
read and write in Braille and could use a typewriter specially
made for her.
Soon she developed the skill of lip reading by placing her
fingers over the speaker's nose, mouth, and larynx. Helen was a
real literary gift. She earned a B.A. cum laude and learned
French, German, Greek, Italian and Latin, besides English.
Keller was a true social activist. She took a leading role in
woman suffrage movement. She also did the same in championing
the cause of the poor and the downtrodden. She dedicated her
life to the well being of the blind and mute. Not just in the
United States, but all over the world.
Keller also earned much fame as the writer of The Story of My
Life, Teacher, My Religion, The World I Live In and Midstream:
My Later Life. And throughout it all she traveled widely in
many countries and received numerous honors and decorations.
She died in June 1, 1968.
Helen Keller was a true leader of humanity. Not just for what
she accomplished for herself. But also because of the strength
and courage she displayed for the benefit of the hundreds of
millions.
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