Helen Keller - Deafblind Author & Activist | Mini Bio | Biography

Summary

Helen Keller, born in 1880, lost her sight and hearing at 19 months due to 'brain fever.' Despite her disabilities, she became a symbol of courage, advocating for the disabled. With the help of her teacher Anne Sullivan, Helen learned to communicate and became the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college. She authored books, championed social issues, and traveled the world to inspire millions. Her life and activism transformed societal views on disability, proving that individuals with disabilities can lead full and meaningful lives.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Helen Keller is globally recognized as an emblem of bravery against significant adversities.
• 👶 Born with full sight and hearing on June 27, 1880, Helen Keller lost both at 19 months due to an illness known as 'brain fever'.
• 📚 Helen came from a privileged background, with her mother being particularly well-educated and instrumental in seeking help for her.
• 🤝 Anne Sullivan, Helen's teacher, played a pivotal role in her education, using finger spelling and other communication methods.
• 💡 A breakthrough occurred when Sullivan taught Helen the word 'water' by associating the physical sensation of water with the sign, marking the start of Helen's rapid learning.
• 📖 By age 10, Helen had mastered Braille and the manual alphabet, and by 16, she could speak well enough to attend preparatory school.
• 🎓 Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college, achieving this milestone at Radcliffe College in 1904.
• 📝 Helen authored her first book while in college and continued to write, speak, and advocate for disability, political, and social issues.
• 🌐 Helen Keller's fame grew as she advocated for the disabled internationally, traveling to 39 countries and inspiring millions.
• 🏆 Her life and work were popularized through 'The Miracle Worker,' which started as a TV movie, became a Broadway show, and was made into an Oscar-winning film.
• 🗽 Helen Keller lobbied for the American Federation for the Blind for 44 years, significantly influencing the perception and support for people with vision loss.

Q & A

Who is Helen Keller known as?

Helen Keller is known around the world as a symbol of courage in the face of overwhelming odds, particularly for her impact on changing attitudes toward handicapped people, especially the blind and deaf.

What happened to Helen Keller at 19 months old?

At 19 months old, Helen Keller was stricken with what was called brain fever, which left her both blind and deaf.

How did Helen Keller's family assist her in her early years?

Helen's mother, who was very intelligent and well-read, contacted the Perkins School for the Blind to seek help. They provided assistance in the form of Anne Sullivan, who would become Helen's famous teacher.

What was the 'aha' moment that changed Helen Keller's life?

The 'aha' moment came when Anne Sullivan took Helen to the water pump, let cold water flow through her hand, and finger spelled 'w-a-t-e-r' into her other hand, which helped Helen understand the connection between the sign and the object.

How many new words did Helen Keller learn on the first day of her breakthrough?

By the end of that first day, Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan managed to develop 30 different new words.

At what age did Helen Keller master Braille and the manual alphabet?

By age 10, Helen Keller had mastered Braille as well as the manual alphabet.

What significant educational achievement did Helen Keller accomplish at age 24?

At age 24, Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe College cum laude, becoming the first deaf-blind person to graduate from a college.

What was Helen Keller's role in advocating for disability issues?

Helen Keller used her fame to advocate for disability issues, as well as political and social issues such as women's suffrage and birth control.

How did Helen Keller's work impact the perception of people with vision loss?

Helen Keller's work changed the perception of people with vision loss, leading to the establishment of rehabilitation centers and schools for the blind due to her visits.

What was the name of the TV movie, Broadway show, and Oscar-winning movie based on Helen Keller's life?

The story of Helen Keller's life was popularized through 'The Miracle Worker,' which started as a TV movie, then became a Broadway show, and finally an Oscar-winning movie.

How did Helen Keller's activism influence the lives of people with disabilities?

Helen Keller's activism challenged the stereotype that people with disabilities could not live full lives, demonstrating through her own life story that they could lead complete and fulfilling lives.