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On This Day: Helen Keller Comprehends the Word "Water"
April 05, 2008 02:00 AM
by
findingDulcinea Staff
On April 5, 1887, in Tuscumbia, Ala., teacher Anne Sullivan taught her blind and deaf pupil, Helen Keller, the meaning of the word "water" as spelled out in the manual alphabet.
Helen's Breakthrough
Helen Keller's world fell dark and silent when she was just 19 months old. "Brain fever" (no firm diagnosis was ever made) had left her deaf and blind.
Helen became an unruly child, who often lashed out in anger at her inability to communicate and her failure to comprehend the world around her. When Helen tipped over her sister's crib one day, her parents knew they needed to find help.
With the assistance of Alexander Graham Bell, they were able to engage teacher Anne Sullivan to tutor their daughter. Anne's first task was helping Helen to gain self-control. Once that occurred, she had an opportunity to start spelling words into Helen's hand and try to help the girl connect letters and words with objects' names.
At first, Helen thought her teacher was just playing a game. Helen memorized words but failed to understand that they did, in fact, have meaning.
It wasn't until April 5, 1887, when Anne took Helen to an old pump house that Helen finally understood that everything has a name. Anne put Helen's hand under the stream and began spelling "w-a-t-e-r" into her palm, first slowly, then more quickly.
Suddenly, Helen understood. She realized that the letters were referring to the water running over her hand. By the end of the day, Helen had learned 30 more words.
From that breakthrough moment, Helen's world continued to expand. She learned to read, write and even speak. Helen could also walk dogs, ride a horse and swim.
Helen was eventually accepted to Radcliffe College, where she graduated with honors. After her schooling was complete, she continued to champion the cause and advocate understanding of people who were blind or deaf.
When she died in 1968, Helen left an inspirational legacy for blind and deaf individuals. Many organizations, including the American Foundation for the Blind, honor her today.
Helen became an unruly child, who often lashed out in anger at her inability to communicate and her failure to comprehend the world around her. When Helen tipped over her sister's crib one day, her parents knew they needed to find help.
With the assistance of Alexander Graham Bell, they were able to engage teacher Anne Sullivan to tutor their daughter. Anne's first task was helping Helen to gain self-control. Once that occurred, she had an opportunity to start spelling words into Helen's hand and try to help the girl connect letters and words with objects' names.
At first, Helen thought her teacher was just playing a game. Helen memorized words but failed to understand that they did, in fact, have meaning.
It wasn't until April 5, 1887, when Anne took Helen to an old pump house that Helen finally understood that everything has a name. Anne put Helen's hand under the stream and began spelling "w-a-t-e-r" into her palm, first slowly, then more quickly.
Suddenly, Helen understood. She realized that the letters were referring to the water running over her hand. By the end of the day, Helen had learned 30 more words.
From that breakthrough moment, Helen's world continued to expand. She learned to read, write and even speak. Helen could also walk dogs, ride a horse and swim.
Helen was eventually accepted to Radcliffe College, where she graduated with honors. After her schooling was complete, she continued to champion the cause and advocate understanding of people who were blind or deaf.
When she died in 1968, Helen left an inspirational legacy for blind and deaf individuals. Many organizations, including the American Foundation for the Blind, honor her today.
Later Developments: Sullivan honored for teaching Keller
Sullivan never sought public recognition for her amazing work with Helen, preferring to avoid such opportunities. In 2003, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Related Topic: Photographs of Helen Keller and her life
Helen met numerous famous individuals during her life, including Alexander Graham Bell, Charlie Chaplin, Mark Twain, and presidents Calvin Coolidge and John F. Kennedy. Photographs of her and her acquaintances are available at the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.
Ivy Green, the home where Helen Keller was born and first understood the meaning of the word "water," is still standing today. See pictures of the home online, and learn about the play "The Miracle Worker," a tribute to Helen's teacher.
Ivy Green, the home where Helen Keller was born and first understood the meaning of the word "water," is still standing today. See pictures of the home online, and learn about the play "The Miracle Worker," a tribute to Helen's teacher.
Reference: The Lion's Club takes up Helen's cause
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged the Lions Clubs International organization to become "Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness." Today, Lions Clubs are well known for their service to blind and visually impaired individuals.
Source: Lions Clubs International
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