| To many people, Helen Adams Keller is a symbol of | | | | "The Story of My Life" and others such as "The |
| courage and ray of hope. After being shut off from | | | | World I Live In" and "Out of the Dark". |
| the world at eighteen months old, this child fought a | | | | After graduation, Helen and Anne traveled the world, |
| slow and difficult battle to become a sensitive, | | | | giving inspirational lectures and sharing her |
| ambitious and intelligent woman. She devoted her | | | | experiences and beliefs to enthralled crowds. She |
| whole life to write, speak and labored endlessly for | | | | was best remembered as an advocate for people |
| the less fortunate. | | | | with disabilities and she campaigned tirelessly, raising |
| Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June | | | | money to alleviate the living and working conditions |
| 27, 1880. When she was nineteen months old, her life | | | | of those who are blind and deaf-blind. |
| changed dramatically. She fell ill suddenly and the | | | | Besides writing many books and articles on blindness, |
| doctors did not expect her to live. Miraculously, the | | | | deafness and socialism, Helen also appeared before |
| fever subsided but Helen's illness had taken away her | | | | state legislatures and international forums. Her effort |
| sight and hearing. | | | | brought the world's focus on problems about the |
| Helen grew up to be a very difficult child, terrorizing | | | | blind as well as creating awareness on the need for |
| her family with her bad behaviors and temper | | | | preventive measures. |
| tantrums. Looking after her has became too much of | | | | Despite the broad range of her interests, she |
| a challenge for them. | | | | founded Helen Keller International in 1915. It is a |
| However, the situation changed on 3 March 1887. It | | | | non-profitable organization, supporting and doing |
| was the day when Annie Adams Sullivan, a 21 | | | | research on prevention of blindness. At the same |
| year-old graduate, from the Perkins School for the | | | | time, Helen also gave her support to the programs |
| Blind, was engaged to become her governess and | | | | conducted by Helen Keller Services for the Blind as |
| teacher. | | | | well as Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf-Blind |
| Annie taught Helen how to finger spell through | | | | Youths and Adults. |
| repeated use of the manual alphabet with finger | | | | In 1964, Helen was awarded the Presidential Medal of |
| movements. But Helen was unable to understand | | | | Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award. A year |
| what her teacher was trying to tell her. She also did | | | | later she was elected to the Women's Hall of Fame. |
| not understand what the finger movements meant. | | | | Helen Keller continued tirelessly with the good work |
| Unable to express herself, Helen continued with her | | | | until her death on 1 June 1968. She has been |
| temper tantrums and screaming. | | | | described as "the woman who showed the world |
| The epiphany came for Helen Keller on 5 April 1887. | | | | that there are no boundaries to courage and faith; |
| On this fine summer day, Annie brought Helen to a | | | | and her spirit will endure as long as man can read and |
| water pump. As the cold water splashed over Helen's | | | | stories can be told of". |
| hand, Annie repeatedly spelt out the word "water'' | | | | Helen has proven that people with disabilities or |
| onto her hand. | | | | inconveniences are not born to die and they not only |
| Something about the coolness in the water may | | | | can be independent but at the same time, have |
| have brought out the meaning of the finger | | | | similar abilities to give endless contributions towards |
| movements within Helen as she suddenly realized | | | | society as normal human beings. |
| what her teacher has been trying to reach out to | | | | Are you sometimes plagued with countless problems |
| her. | | | | and difficulties that make you feel like it is the end of |
| In 1900, Helen started attending classes at Radcliffe | | | | the world? |
| College and Annie followed along. She industriously | | | | When facing such challenges, image yourself as Helen |
| spelt lectures and notes onto her pupil's hand. When | | | | Keller, shut out in a black hole where you are not |
| Helen completed her course four years later, she | | | | able to reach out to anyone. |
| became the first deaf and blind person to graduate | | | | Be touched by Helen's never-ending spirit and |
| from a college. | | | | courage. Never give up on your beliefs and preserve |
| At the same time, Helen has begun her writing | | | | till the end. |
| career. Famous books included her autobiography, | | | | |