She is America’s most loved deafblind figure, and Helen Keller’s story is known by many and even taught in schools. But there is a lot people don’t know about her!

Born in 1880, Helen suffered from brain disease at 19 months old, which left her blind and deaf and unable to properly communicate. She was an uncontrollable child until her teacher, Anne Sullivan, came up with an idea.

Anne took Helen to a water pump, and while she poured water onto Helen’s hand, she drew the letters spelling W-A-T-E-R into Helen’s other hand with her finger. Helen instantly understood and began demanding the name of everything around her. This story has become so famous that it has even been the subject of films, such as The Miracle Worker from 1962.

Scene from The Miracle Worker, 1962

Scene from The Miracle Worker, 1962

As Helen grew up, it became clear that she was very intelligent. She quickly adjusted to school life, and Helen eventually became the first person who was deaf and blind to ever graduate from college.

Her incredible achievements to overcome disabilities made her a household name. At the age of 12, she wrote her first ever book, The Story of My Life, which is now available in 50 languages. She wrote a total of 12 books, as well as publishing many articles for national press on preventing blindness and the education and special problems of the blind.

helen-keller

Helen Keller was admired by many for speaking about for people who are blind and with disabilities. She was even one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union.

However, she also had other talents. In 1918, she recorded a Hollywood film called Deliverance, which dramatized the plight of the blind and showed the world that blindness as a disability was not completely limiting. She went on to perform this story on the vaudeville stage across America.

alabama_large_quarter

Helen Keller has been an inspiration for people with disabilities across the world, and she has changed the discourse around disability altogether. Helen is even on the Alabama state quarter, her home state. It’s the only US coin that has braille. She is a true Eye Health Hero!

temp-join

If you want to follow in the footsteps of Helen Keller and help people living with blindness, then join us! You can help end avoidable blindness by adding your name to our campaign.