DR. HELEN KELLER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

DR. HELEN KELLER.

It has been said of Helen Keller that she is the most remarkable

woman of our time. This is quite probably so. Certain it is that hers is a wonderful instance of a gentle, courageous spirit triumphing over tremendous odds.

When a tiny child of 18 months, a tragic illness robbed baby Helen of her sight, speech and hearing. We have a pathetic picture of the little girl, puzzled and helpless, groping in silence and in darkness for a glimmering of the understanding which could not reach her.

Nearly four years were passed in this state of helpless misery. In her sixth year, however, a new era was to open out before the little girl, when her father engaged a Miss Sullivan as governess for his daughter. Of the wonderful qualities of this gifted lady much has been written. Suffice to say here that she transformed Helen's sad and lonely life into one of interest and happiness. A dawning intelligence awoke in the little mind; things hitherto puzzling

and confusing, under Miss Sullivan's guidance assumed fascinating meanings. The finger alphabet was no longer a meaningless exercise, but a joyous game. In this way tlie little girl grew up under the loving care and guidance of her devoted teacher. In lier tenth year Helen reached another milestone in her life, when first she learned to speak. One can easily imagine the tremendous difficulties to be overcome before this could be accomplished. She had never heard a spoken word, and to master consonants and vowels, words and expressions, seemed for a time a colossal and impossible task. But master them she did, and to-day her low, deep voice lias a peculiar attractive quality which seldom fails to please. Helen's education continued apace. She became a student at a New York girls' college, her devoted teacher accompanying her and acting as interpreter. This was a period of hard work and strenuous study, but a splendid reward was to come later when Helen gained matriculation, with honours in English and German.

Sincc that day much lias happened —the distinction of a B.A. degree won, and a well-merited reputation gained as a writer and a lecturer, both in the United States and in England. The little afflicted Helen of long ago has become world famous.

And surely no more shining instance exists than this American lady's splendid and courageous endeavours to face and overcome the tremendous difficulties in lier life's path.