DO NOT THINK OF TODAY'S FAILURES

Photographs courtesy of Brown Brothers
Left to Right: Laura Bridgeman , Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller

Laura Bridgeman (1829-1889):
She is the first known blind, deaf and mute person to successfully teach at the Perkins Institution for the Blind.

Anne Sullivan (1866-1936): A student at the Perkins Institution for the Blind, Anne graduated at the head of her class. She had the good fortune of undergoing a successful surgery which restored some of her sight. She studied the work of Samuel Gridley Howe with Laura Bridgeman. Anne is best know for traveling to Alabama to work as the governess to a deaf, blind and mute six year old child named Helen Keller.

Helen Keller (1880-1968): A true luminary of her time; she was an influential writer and lecturer. Her efforts greatly improved the perception and treatment of the deaf and blind as well as aided in removing the handicapped from insane asylums. In 1963, Helen Keller was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.


“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”

--Helen Keller--

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This post makes me think of Mark Twain's quote, "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

Anonymous said...

Helen Keller is one of my heroes. Thank you for posting this.