Overcoming Handicaps

American Minute from William J. Federer

Helen Keller was born JUNE 27, 1880. At the age of two she suffered an illness that left her blind and deaf. Her parents took her to Dr. Alexander Graham Bell who recommended the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston. There, at age of 7, Helen was tutored by Anne Sullivan through the sense of touch.

Eventually Helen Keller learned to read Braille and began attending Radcliffe College, where Anne Sullivan interpreted lectures.

Helen became concerned about all the blind, especially those blinded in war or by poor working conditions. She received numerous international honors for her efforts.

Helen Keller learned to type on a Braille typewriter and wrote many books between 1903 and 1941, including: The Story of My Life, Optimism, The World I Live In, The Song of the Stone Wall, Out of the Dark, My Religion, Midstream, Let Us Have Faith, and The Open Door.

Helen Keller stated: "The Bible is one mighty representative of the whole spiritual life of humanity."

Helen Keller wrote: "I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God."

Helen Keller concluded: "Four things to learn in life: To think clearly without hurry...To love everybody sincerely...To act in everything with the highest motives...To trust God unhesitatingly."

William J. Federer is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and president of Amerisearch, Inc, which is dedicated to researching our American heritage. The American Minute radio feature looks back at events in American history on the dates they occurred, is broadcast daily across the country and read by thousand on the internet.