My Writing Experience

Reading and writing are two huge key parts of a child’s education. Children are introduced to reading and writing as early as the first grade. I remember writing my first “story” in grade one. Students were taught how to read and write through visualization exercises.  Most elementary school classrooms have posters of the alphabet on the walls. Which is a great way for children to start learning the alphabet. A song that children can sing to memorize the alphabet is another teaching method. These methods are a great way to teach children, but not all children can benefit from them. Helen Keller is a perfect example. Helen Keller was born in 1880, and at the age of 19 months Keller lost her eyesight and hearing due to a severe fever. (Helen Keller International, 2013)

            Helen’s education and learning exercises were very different from mine. Over time I was not only learning how to read and write in school. I was also learning by observing my surroundings. My parents were educating me each and everyday just by speaking to me. This was a disadvantage for Keller because she could only learn new words by working with her tutor, Anne Sullivan, using touch and feel methods to learn new words. (Helen Keller International, 2013)

            Learning new vocabulary was not only just about physically writing and reading for Keller, she also had to learn to understand what the word actually meant. I could not imagine what it would be like trying to link a word to something you have never physically seen. When teachers in my elementary would introduce new vocabulary, they would also show a picture to help the students understand what the word meant. Helen Keller’s first break through was in 1887. Keller and her tutor, Anne Sullivan, were sitting outside at the water pump. Sullivan would go back and forth from pouring water on Keller’s hand, and spelling the word W-A-T-E-R onto Keller’s palm with the touch of her finger. After numerous repetitions Keller finally realized the link between the mysterious liquid on her hand and the word water. (Daniels, 2013)

            It is simply amazing that an individual who was robbed of her eye site and hearing could accomplish so much. Not only did Keller learn how to read, write and speak. She learned all of these skills at the same rate as some children who did not have any type of disability. After Keller’s break through in 1887, Keller managed to learn more then 600 words over that same summer. (Daniels, 2013)

            Every individual that has ever stepped foot on earth has had their ups and downs through life. It is impossible for anyone to live a perfect life. Helen Keller was stripped of her eye site and hearing at such an early stage of her life, but she did not give up, she managed to push through it. She had the willpower to overcome her disabilities, with the help of her loving family and friends. Keller proved to thousands of people that anything is possible.

Daniels, P. (2013). Helen Keller. Both Deaf and Blind became a writer and        activist.  About.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2013 from http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Helen-Keller.htm

Helen Keller International. (2013) Helen Keller’s Life. Retrieved on October 14, 2013, from

http://www.hki.org/about-helen-keller/helen-kellers-life/