INTRODUCTION HELEN KELLER Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia Alabama July of She was born a healthy child and was just learning to speak at the age of 6 months. At 18 months she fell ill with a high fever. Doctors diagnosed her with having “Brain Fever” stating that it was something most children get and it would pass. The fever resulted in a loss of both Helen’s hearing and sight.
HISTORY After Helen was officially diagnosed as being blind, deaf and mute by doctors her parents did everything they could to learn how to communicate with her. For the next five years Helen was raised in complete darkness. She was able to understand things through their repetition and would make up her own signs to represent things she was familiar with or wanted. Only the people that were around Helen the most were able to communicate with her. Although she had created her own way of communicating, as she grew older she knew that she was different. She became frustrated easily and would throw violent tantrums sometimes resulting in harm to the people around her. Ms. Sullivan started teaching Helen right away by finger spelling the alphabet to her. Although Helen was not aware of what Ms. Sullivan was signaling into her hand, she was used to repeating things in order to get to know them. Helen immediately started to simulate the spellings of Ms. Sullivan, although unable to understand their meanings. Even though Helen was unable to make any connections to what these hand gestures meant Ms. Sullivan used the method of repetition thoroughly to make sure Helen was able to familiarize herself with the letters. Ms. Sullivan managed to teach Helen the meaning of language and words which led to Helen’s many accomplishments. By the time Helen was 24 she had graduated college and written her first book. She goes on to meet several infection people throughout history including Alexander Bell and Mark Twain and make her mark in History by becoming one of the biggest activist for the deaf and blind.
Purpose Throughout her lifetime Helen traveled to over 30 countries educating the world on such disabilities. She has helped numerous organizations with raising money and spreading awareness of the welfares of the blind and deaf
Argument Agree Disagree Educating people on the learning methods to teach those with impairments and disabilities. Continued research leading to new technological devices making it easier for the blind and deaf to learn. Developing new teaching methods. Limited research and education provided to the blind and or deaf. Limited governmental help Out of sight out of mind methods.
Relations Helen Keller’s story I felt related to our class in the fact that she was taught everything she knows through repetition, which we have learned throughout the semester is very important to developing your own learning style. REPETINTION IS THE MOTHER OF LEARNING
Conclusion I feel that Helen’s struggle for education because of her disabilities is to this day considered a very inspirational story not just for those who may have similar disabilities and or impairments but for everyone. You can accomplish anything. There are no excuses.