Helen Keller
Introduction: “The Story of My Life is an autobiographical story of Helen Keller. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, USA on 1880 and died on 1968. She is an example of inspiration for handicapped or disabled people. She was writer, Lecturer and supporter for the handicapped people. She became blind at the age of 19 years. She fright well in her life and became a figure of hope and courage for handicapped. She is known throughout the world for her courage.
Parents: Her father Arthur Henley Keller was an editor of Tuscumbia North Alabamian and captain in the Confederate Army. Her mother Catheirne Everett Keller also called Kate.
Handicapped: At the age of 19 years in 1882 she felt ill. Due to this illness she lost her sight and hearing.
Role of Anne Sullivan: In 1887 Helen’s parents employ Anne Sullivan as a teacher and care taker for Helen. She was a graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind. Anne makes Helen able to learn to communicate with the help of sign language. She taught how to write on Braille. She teaches her with the help of toughing the words with fingers.
Education: She went to Perkins Institute for Blind in the month of May of 1888. She gets her education at Boston and New York. She completed her matriculation from Radcliffe College. She becomes the first disabled person to get BA.
Literary Contribution: She has written twelve book and several articles. At the age of eleven years in 1891, she wrote “The Frost King” Her first book “The Story of My Life” whose extract is in our syllabus is published in 1903. This is her first book on autobiography which she wrote at the age of twenty two years.
Awards and Prizes: Helen recipient of many honors and awards. She was awarded Academy Award for a documentary about her life. She was also awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Contribution: She was a member of the Socialist Party. She voiced for the women and supported them for the right to vote and right to control. She was co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union. In 1924 she joined a NGO American Foundation for the Blind. She was good speaker and so many famous speeches of her are preserved in the Helen Keller Archives. She had made seven trips of the world by visiting more than thirty five countries.
Death: She died on 1st June of 1968 at the age of 87. Her ashes are interred at Washington National Cathedral. She is remembered as a symbol of vigor and determination.
