Helen felt that it was only when she met her teacher, friend and mentor - Anne Sullivan, that her ‘soul was born’. Helen was seven years old when she met Anne Sullivan who was 14 years older than Helen. Anne was also visually impaired and just recently graduated from school. It was not long; Anne taught Helen ‘finger spelling’, which allowed her to finally communicate with those around her.

Helen was the very first person who was deaf and blind to graduate

In 1900 Helen was accepted into the famous Radcliff College in Cambridge (along with her loyal teacher Anne, who attended alongside her to help interpret lectures and texts). It was during Helen’s junior year here that she wrote her autobiography, ‘The Story of My Life’. By 1904, she had not only written a book, but graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, becoming the first person who was deaf and blind to earn a college degree.

Helen Did Not Allow Her Disability To Limit Her.

She saw ability in her disability; she said “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of overcoming it”. She had a goal for her life, she knew what she wanted and was determined to get it. She had on her ability and was optimistic, and she said “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence”. Her vision for the future was focused, no distractions or excuses. She knew that our physical eyes are of not much important in the realization of our dreams. She said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”. Is not what is seen that matters most but what the heart believes in. She categorically maintained; “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”

The heart of a man is like a parachute and very elastic. Like the parachute it does not open until is put into use. Put your heart to use, let’s stretch it with the many enlightening trains in WA. This will continue with another personality who proved that, there are no handicaps except in the mind.