DE CHAVEZ, Michaela P.

| Grade 12 Franklin | Philosophy

WHO IS HELEN KELLER?
Helen Keller was born in
Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880. Her
cheerful, spirited nature was apparent for the
first nineteen months of her life. Then,
disaster struck: Keller contracted a horrible
fever. To the delight and relief of her
parents, she recovered, but did not escape
totally unscathed. The sickness had taken a
terrible toll on her sight and hearing, leaving
her completely blind and deaf. Beginning in
1887, Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan,
helped her make tremendous progress with
her ability to communicate, and Keller went
on to college, graduating in 1904. In 1920,
Keller helped found the ACLU. During her
lifetime, she received many honors in
recognition of her accomplishments.

WHY IS HELEN KELLER MY HERO?

Just like Helen Keller, Michaela De Chavez is also a pursuer of dreams, dreamt of being a UNICEF
Woman Advocate for Children and a Nurse for pacifist soldiers in times of war and hostilities all around the
world.
In todays society, people with physical or mental impairments have amazing opportunities to live their
life to the fullest. However, life was very different for such individuals as Helen Keller. Born in the late
nineteenth century, she soon became both blind and deaf. Despite her extremely limiting disabilities, she
learned through hard work and perseverance. She is an Author, Political Activist and Advocate, Fundraiser,
Lecturer and American Hero. She utilized her struggle to inspire disadvantaged men and women and influence
changes in the way they are treated. Her passionate fight to be heard cements her place among the worlds more
empowering heroes. Her first book, The Story of My Life, chronicling her struggles to be able to communicate
and voice her own opinion by giving motivation and empowerment to those who felt they could not change the
world they lived in. Her books were inspiring, true, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. Throughout
her lifetime, she traveled the world, advocating numerous causes such as the improved overall treatment of the
disadvantaged. She lectured to audiences in Japan, India, Australia,
everywhere championing the disabled and the dispossessed. Her tireless
efforts to spread the word of equality through all states of disability and
health made her prominent in the world of social reform. She continued
reaching farther and farther to help prevent disability, taking on such
causes as educating the public about blindness in newborns. During World
War II, she advocated for soldiers who had been blinded during battle. For
every cause she promoted, Helen Keller confirmed what the public was
growing to believe: that she was a strong, persevering woman who would
stop at nothing to be heard.Though she died in 1968, she has not been
forgotten. Generations following her lifetime have studied her incredible
story in school, and have been inspired by her hard work and dedication to
apply those principles to their own lives. Her story advises us to look beyond our shortcomings, be the best we
can be, and reach for the stars. Helen Keller once said herself, I am resolved to be myself, to live my own
life and write my own thoughts. Her words teach us not to let anything or anyone stand in the way of our goals.
This is what she accomplished. This is why she remains one of times great American heroes.

There were barriers still, true, but barriers that could in time be swept away. Hellen