"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit." - Helen Keller
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Naomi building up the courage for a big leap. |
Simone is working on a report about Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Though Helen left a legacy of accomplishments, co-founder of the ACLU, activist, and renowned author, Simone found herself particularly interested in Helen's tutor, Anne Sullivan and focused on her life and their relationship.
Anne Sullivan became blind when she was five from untreated trachoma. By eight, her mother had died and her abusive father had deserted both her and her brother Jimmie. At ten, they were sent to a horrific poorhouse, and soon after Jimmie died.
It was brutal but Anne was able to prosper. One day when Frank Sanborn, the chairman of a charity visited the Tewksbury orphanage, Anne threw herself in front of him pleading, "Mr. Sanborn, I want to go to school!"
Not only did she go to school but in 1886, when she was 20, she graduated as the class valedictorian. She was able to regain enough of her eyesight to read normal print for short periods of time through a series of operations but her vision was still quite minimal and that made it difficult for Anne to find work. When she received the offer to teach Helen Keller, a deaf-blind mute (although she had no teaching experience) she accepted and gave it everything she had. Unlike many before her, she was able to break through to Helen and her progress was extraordinary. It also became a lifelong friendship. The two lived together until Anne died in 1936. (Edited and transcribed from Simone doing an improve dinner performance of Anne's story.)
Helen Keller Quotes:
Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything good in the world.
People do not like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.
I am only one, still I am one. I can not do everything, still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.
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Madeline is performing the role of Helen Keller, Simone is Anne Sullivan and Lola is covering two roles, Jimmy Sullivan and Mr. Sanborn. In the Chinese Room "theater". |
