You’ve all heard about Helen Keller and her teacher Annie Sullivan. Now, thanks to this vintage footage from the 1930s, you can see Keller in the flesh and discover how she learned to talk (then  eventually became an author, lecturer, and champion of many progressive causes). It’s worth watching, particularly through the stirring finish. We’ve added this clip to our YouTube Favorites.
via Boing Boing
I am so impressed. This is heroical and more than a wonder for Helen and Annie Sullivan who dedicated the whole life making this wonder. May you rest in the highest heaven. The humanity is living in you both. Thanks for this lesson of perseverance.
Annie Sullivan loves Helen unconditionally, and Helen’s face reflects this joy. This film clip has to be one of the most touching I have ever seen.
Thank you.
This is a wonderful clip, but I don’t understand how she would know what what she said meant? Isn’t she just repeating sounds? How does that become knowledge?
 Helen Keller wasnt realy dom.She was smart all her life.This is by Cierra.
“dumb” meaning unable to speak. She learned to use her voice long after she had mastered braille etc. and had a storehouse of knowledge – this was a final step of her education.
I love the video but why isn’t it Captioned?
I first learned of Helen Keller when I was 7 yrs old and throughout my life she has remained a constant inspiration. She is my hero. While I am too young to have known her in person I have always admired and respected this woman I felt so connected to. Although I can see and hear, Helen inspired me to learn sign language at the age of 8 through the use of books, and by age 9 I taught myself to read braille. I am now 42 and this is the first time I have ever heard her voice. Thank you for putting this online, it only adds to the inspiration she continues to be in my life. Because of Helen Keller I grew up believing that anything is possible if a person simply invests their heart and soul. While Annie Sullivan is accredited as her teacher, it was Helen’s own heart and soul that made her many achievements possible. God Bless you Helen, you will never be forgotten.
annie sullivan knew exactly how people heard “dumb” — she made that point again and again throughout her life, as did keller. so when she says ‘I am not dumb now’, it has multiple levels of meaning. that word (“dumb”) was a gauntlet to generations of deaf people.
people still used that word when I was a kid in the ’70s. most people under 40 today haven’t ever even heard that usage. which I would say is progress.