Who was Hellen Keller

Helen Keller, whose life was to later touch and transform that of handicapped people all over the world, was born on the 27th of June, 1880, 113 years ago, In alabama, U.S.A. At the tender age of 18 months, she was struck by meningitis. She survived but became totally deaf and blind. A grim future faced her, and Helen’s parents were advised to put herein an institution where the mentally retarded, senile, and juvenile cases were dumped together without hope. Her parents, however, did not lose hope. Together with Anne Sullivan who came to teach the troubled Helen when she was six, they wrought a miracle. Anne Sullivan understood the importance of experience in Helen’s life. Most of their waking moments were spent outdoors communicating with, and experiencing nature. The first words that Helen learnt were with regard to nature. Later when Helen developed the power of language, she wrote about her joys -her childhood friends the sun, the cool night breeze, the trees, flowers, birds, bees, the clear running brook, the water pump in her yard and the vibrant rhythmn in nature things she could neither see nor hear! The love, support and patience of her family and teacher transformed Helen’s life completely. She attended school, graduated from Radcliffe College, and went on to writing her autography and talking to large audience the world over. Helen Keller’s success story became an inspiration and guiding light to all parents and people working with deafblind children. It brought about the realization that every child, no matter what the handicap, is entitled to education, and is capable of leading as full and independent life as possible.

Helen Keller wrote, “A person who is severely handicapped never knows his own hidden source of strength until he is treated like a normal human being and allowed to shape his own life... for life is either a challenge or an adventure or nothing at all... I thank God for my handicaps for through them, I have come to know myself and my God and my people”.

Source: The Hellen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deaf Blind

hkidbind@bom5.vsnl.net.in