Overcoming Life Obstacles: The Inspiring Story of Helen Keller

There are individuals who, despite the hardships they face, succeed in their journey towards achieving their dreams. Helen Keller, a blind and deaf woman who lived in the 19th century, stands as an incredible example of perseverance, dedication, and resilience.

Early Life

Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, on June 27, 1880. At nineteen months old, she was struck with an illness, which left her deaf and blind. Her life became dark, silent, and isolated. By the time she was seven, she displayed a little understanding of language and was mostly left to her own devices.

Meeting Anne Sullivan

In March 1887, Keller’s future changed dramatically when her parents hired Anne Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher, to work with her. Anne would teach Keller the alphabet using the manual sign language on her hand. It not only made her realize her potential to learn but also helped her to understand her surroundings better.

Shortly after, Keller was acknowledged in the public eye as Anne taught her how to speak. Anne created a raised alphabet on a board which enabled her to touch the shape of various letters so that she could feel them with her fingertips. She gradually learned how to string letters into words, words into sentences, and sentences into coherent thoughts.

Education and Career

Keller went on to attend the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Boston. She worked tirelessly and graduated from the school cum laude in 1904. She then attended Radcliffe College, where she became its first deaf and blind student.

Despite significant adversity, Helen Keller became an accomplished author, public speaker, and advocate of individuals with disabilities. She traveled worldwide to lecture and wrote 14 books and numerous articles. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, in 1964.

Conclusion

Helen Keller’s life is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Through her unwavering determination, she overcame unimaginable obstacles and achieved extraordinary accomplishments. Her life inspires us, showing that with the right attitude, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way, and we can achieve greatness.