Anne Sullivan

Hello! My name is Anne Sullivan. When I was a little girl, born way back in 1866, my life was not very easy. I got a sickness in my eyes called trachoma, which made it very, very hard for me to see. The world looked blurry, like when you try to look through a foggy window. Because I couldn't see well and my family was very poor, I was sent to live in a place called an almshouse. It was a sad place, but I was determined to get an education.

When I was 14 years old, in 1880, I finally got my wish! I went to a wonderful place called the Perkins School for the Blind. For the first time, I felt like I belonged. I learned to read special books with raised dots called braille, and I made so many friends. While I was at Perkins, doctors performed operations on my eyes that helped me see more clearly. I loved learning so much that I graduated as the top student in my class!

Soon after I graduated, I was given a very important job. On March 3rd, 1887, I traveled to Tuscumbia, Alabama, to become the teacher for a young girl named Helen Keller. Helen could not see or hear at all. Imagine a world that is always dark and quiet—that was Helen’s world. At first, it was very hard. I taught her by spelling words into her hand. One day at the water pump, I spelled 'w-a-t-e-r' into one of her hands while cool water flowed over her other hand. Suddenly, she understood! Her face lit up with joy. That moment changed everything.

Helen and I became best friends and stayed together for almost 50 years. I helped her go to college and travel the world, sharing her story. I lived to be 70 years old. People remember me as 'The Miracle Worker,' but the real miracle was seeing a brilliant mind like Helen's learn to connect with the world. I am remembered for showing everyone that with patience, creativity, and love, any student can learn and shine.