“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood“
Helen Keller
American author, political activist, disability rights advocate & lecturer
She was also the first deaf-blind person to gain a bachelor of arts degree.
Helen Keller – American Author
1880 – 1968
Born in Alabama as a healthy child.
At the age of 19 months she lost her sight & hearing due to an illness.
She communicated using home signs until 7 when she met Anne Sullivan who taught her language (reading & writing) by spelling out words on Helen’s hands. She learned to speak & understand people speaking using the Tadoma method (like tactile lip reading).
She went to Harvard University where she gained a BA Arts degree.
She worked for the American Foundation of the blind for 46 years where she toured the USA & 39 countries advocating for those with no sight.
She wrote 14 books & hundreds of speeches.
She campaigned for those with disabilities, womens right to vote (suffrage), labour rights & World peace.
Helen’s autobiography ‘The story of my life’ made her & Anne famous. It was adapted into a film – ‘The Miracle Worker’ (1962)
Other Quotes:
“We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough“
“No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it“
“Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye“
Died aged 87 – in her sleep.