Many of us learn about Helen Keller early in school and marvel about the journey she took with teacher Anne Sullivan in order to finally find her voice. I remember watching the emotional film based on their life together, The Miracle Worker, with actress Patty Duke's incredible performance tugging on my heartstrings at a young age.
Today, technology has advanced in life-changing ways, allowing countless individuals suffering from similar ailments to hear, see, and communicate. Tear-jerking videos capture the moment they react to their new level of perception, like the young boy who was overjoyed to hear a simple recorder for the first time. But Keller, born in 1880, struggled in complete silence for years before being able to form a system that would work. Sullivan's devotion to her pupil led to their history-making breakthrough and the two remained constant companions long after their lessons were done.
It's easy to see why while observing the duo in this rare news clip from 1928. They seem like family rather than student and teacher as they hold hands throughout the whole demonstration. Sullivan explains how, at just over a year old, Keller was struck with an ailment that caused her to lose those senses many of us take for granted on a daily basis.
After observing the rudimentary way young Keller made her mind known, they developed a way for her to not only express herself more clearly through sign language but actually from speech! I knew about the sign language, but hearing Keller actually say a full sentence totally stunned me.
Take a look for yourself below and be sure to SHARE the amazing moment with your friends!
