OUTLINE

HELEN KELLER'S CONTRIBUTIONS

Basically bringing the blind/deaf people out of the closet, so to speak. She proved -- or to be more precise, Annie Sullivan, her teacher proved -- that it is possible for blind and deaf people to learn sign language, which they do on the palm of the recipient's hand, instead of in the air like the deaf who are sighted. The hard part, as you know if you have seen "The Miracle Worker," was getting the whole concept of language and communication across to the child who is both blind and deaf. Because she not only learned, but eventually shared what she learned, writing in Braille and signing, a whole lot of other people have been able to live good lives, not hidden away in the back wards of state hospitals, or worse. Actually, as I recall she even learned to speak eventually, and gave lectures.The other thing Helen Keller did which may be even more remarkable was to write about things other than her handicap. She demonstrated that a person with communication problems can so overcome them that they can look beyond themselves, be generous and compassionate toward others. The same is clearly true for people with other sorts of handicaps. It is not necessary to become self-absorbed and crabby and demanding. You can retain a human soul, appreciate the people who make the attempt to befriend you, and have compassion for others with other problems, as well as share what you've learned about overcoming your own.