Back in 1866, a young girl by the name of Anne was diagnosed with severe vision problems.
The Massachusetts lass was victim of an infection that had attacked the eyes, a somewhat common affliction of the time.
Because of her infection, she eventually attended the Perkins Institution for the Blind, where she learned the manual alphabet in order to communicate with a classmate who was deaf and blind.
As the years passed, Anne had several operations that improved her weakened eyesight, and became a proficient student at the Institution.
At age 20, she was recommended by the school to assist the learning of the precocious young daughter of a famous and wealthy former Confederate Army Officer and newspaper publisher.
The recommendation came at the behest of the publisher's friend, Alexander Graham Bell, who was familiar with the students and learning fostered at Perkins Institution for the Blind.
In 1887 Anne began working to socialize her wild, stubborn six year old student and teach her by spelling out words in in her hand using the manual alphabet.
Initially, the finger spelling meant nothing to her student, who was far too frustrated to take an active part in the learning process.
However, a breakthrough occurred one day when Anne held one of her student's hands under water from a pump and spelled out "w-a-t-e-r" in her palm.
The student, though still deaf and blind, went on to learn how to read, write, speak, and with Anne's assistance, attended Radcliffe College and graduated with honors in 1904.
Her student became a public speaker and author; her first book was published in 1902.
She was also a fundraiser for the American Foundation for the Blind and an advocate for racial and sexual equality, as well as socialism.
From 1920 to 1924, Anne and her student even formed a vaudeville act to educate the public and earn money.
The name Anne Sullivan may no longer be familiar to you, but to those who know the story, she is known as "the miracle worker".
You see, Anne Sullivan was Helen Keller's interpreter and constant companion, giving her sight, understanding, and communication in spite of her disabilities.
Helen Keller died on June 1, 1968, at her home in Westport, Connecticut, at age 87, leaving her mark on the world by helping to alter perceptions about the disabled.
But a series of miracles between two exceptional women began this day in 1887.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." ---- Helen Keller
"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content." ---- Helen Keller
"My heart is singing for joy this morning! A miracle has happened! The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed! " ---- Anne Sullivan
