Lorena Hickok's The Story Of Helen Keller

The Story of Helen Keller was written by Lorena A. Hickok, born March 7, 1893 and died on May 1, 1968. According to George Washington University, Lorena was raised in a poor family. Her father was abusive to her, so at the age of 14 she left home to go to work as a maid. She continued her education of high school level, but after one year of college she flunked out. Lorena then started a successful career in journalism, and finally became an author of some important people’s biographies. In 1954, Lorena became partially blind as her health started to deteriorate. The Story of Helen Keller was published in 1958. (Christopher Brick) If Lorena can still write wonderful books when partially blind, can members of the deaf community be successful

However, her father views her as being mentally retarded in the beginning of her childhood. When she visited the deaf school in Boston, she could not relate to the deaf children and be in their class because she could not speak or see like the other students. People who come in contact with the Deaf, see them as mentally retarded. Deaf students that are in school have a hard time in general education rooms because they need the services that help them understand what a hearing teacher is trying to get across. This book shows how the Deaf community forms their own language by using the manual alphabet, signing, and sometimes Braille. Helen’s father did not want to learn the manual alphabet because he did not want to change the way things were in his home. After seeing his wife learn and being able to communicate with Helen, he then realized the benefit of learning the alphabet, so he could talk with his daughter. Even though, it was hard for Helen’s father, he is a good example to the hearing community that if we take the time to learn the language of the Deaf community, we will be able to enjoy friendships we never thought we could have in the world. Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe with Cum laude- with honor. One can take from this example that being deaf, dumb, and blind and having a language unique to you does not mean that your dreams and aspirations cannot come true. Personal Perspective of “The Story of Helen Keller.” I view