Helen Adams Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama.
At the age of 19 months, Keller became very ill with a high fever, leaving her totally deaf and blind. Doctors at that time diagnosed it as “brain fever.” Experts today believe she suffered from scarlet fever or meningitis.
She was a smart, loving child. But she also misbehaved a lot. Her parents felt so bad that she couldn’t see or hear that they didn’t teach her proper behavior. Helen also acted naughty because she was upset when she couldn’t communicate with others.
Her parents hired Sullivan to help her learn to communicate.
She managed to learn the manual alphabet, how to read raised type and braille, and how to write sentences. All this was done in just six months, and Keller was still a young girl when she learned it.
In 1899, she passed the entrance exam and was accepted into Radcliffe College. Shortly after, in 1904, Keller graduated cum laude. She was the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree.
After many hardships Helen Keller went on to become a world-famous speaker and author, an advocate for people with disabilities, and an active member of the socialist party.
Helen Keller was a remarkable woman. She was put through so much in her life and overcame obstacles that some might not understand.
One of her famous quote “Be happy with what you have while working for what you want”.
