Helen Keller

I was born in Alabama. It was 1880.

I got sick as a baby. I could not see. I could not hear.

Imagine you could not see or hear. What would that feel like?

I struggled to communicate. I was angry.

I did not behave well. My family was upset.

I needed help. I visited doctors. They worked with the deaf and the blind.

They said I should work with a teacher. They suggested Anne Sullivan.

Anne came to live with my family. I was 6 years old.

Anne worked hard to teach me. It was not easy at first. But Anne found a way.

What would it be like to have your teacher live with you?

She helped me feel an object. Then she spelled the word in my hand.

The first word I learned was “water” It was a miracle!

I quickly made progress.

I learned to read Braille.

I learned to write.

I even learned to speak.

With Anne’s help, I went to school. I graduated from college.

I wrote books. I traveled. I gave speeches.

I was a leader for deaf and blind people.

I started groups to help them.

I shared my story.

I won many awards. I was honored until my death at age 88

I was a gifted woman. I was smart and courageous. I was a hero to my community.