Helen Keller

inspiration · disability rights · communication · education

Lost her senses. When Helen was just 19 months old, an illness took away both her sight and her hearing. At first, she couldn't talk to anyone or understand the world around her.

Met her teacher Anne. At age seven, Helen met Anne Sullivan, who became her teacher and best friend for life. Anne taught Helen how to understand language by spelling words into her hand.

Learned to read and write. With Anne's help, Helen learned not just to speak through sign language, but also to read Braille and write on a typewriter. She became an excellent student.

Graduated from college. Helen attended Radcliffe College at Harvard University and became the first deaf-blind person in the United States to earn a college diploma, a huge accomplishment!

Became a famous speaker. Helen traveled around the world giving speeches and writing books to help people understand that people with disabilities could do amazing things.