Helen Keller: Beating Incredible Odds

At the age of seven, Helen Keller was described my family members as a little monster. She threw temper tantrums, attacked people and had terrible personal habits. Yet, within a year, the deaf and blind girl had been transformed. She became teachable and that teaching untapped a level of genius - and determination - which saw her overcome her disabilities and achieve unimaginable success . In this week’s Biographics we explore how Helen Keller beat incredible odds to become an inspiration to the world.

Vote for the Biography you want us to next. Click here to vote:

Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Steve Theunissen
Producer - Samuel Avila
Executive Producer - Shell Harris

Other Biographics Videos:

Marie Curie: A Life of Sacrifice and Achievement

Marie Antoinette Biography: Her Own Undoing

[Biographics]

How does a video about this incredible woman get 7 thumbs down. I would honestly like to hear from those who disliked it and why. I assume it is not related to the person but to our presentation. If you thumb this down, please share why. - Shell

[samanthakoval]

When I was in college, this guy would keep calling me Helen Keller and he would say it in such a strange voice. I believe he was trying to insult me, but jokes on him. Helen Keller is the most genius, badass, philanthropist woman ever.

[yolandawilson]

Helen was and is such an inspiration. My mother met Helen when my mother was 5 in 1951. My mother said Helen came to her school to speak and although she said Helen was hard to understand, she knew that this woman was amazing. When you stated she visited in Canada it made me remember the story my mother told me when I was young about Helen. One of my all time favourite movie is The Helen Keller movie, I think it was called the Miracle Worker. Great vid.

[David_Me]

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."
- Helen Keller

[Newcras]

"She's not gonna live past childhood"
Lives til 87

[RubeeRoja]

Hi, I'm a single parent of a beloved Deaf and autistic son who has struggled immensely for the last 12 years to acquire language despite intelligence. Of course this leads to frustration, at times self injury, and sadness. I've always felt fascinated by Hellen and Anne since I myself was a child, but now even more so. This brief bio gave a depth of info that I had not quite known. I love this channel already, but am glad to have watched this in particular today. Thank you.

[meg]

Being born extremely hard of hearing from the start of my life and requiring glasses at the age of 5 learning about Helen Keller in elementary school really spoke to me. It made me realize that I might have to work harder than my peers without disabilities but I could have been much worse off! Kudos to my elementary school speech therapist for her compassionate and tireless work along with my audiologist!

[laskmj]

When I first read the play The Miracle Worker, I cried! The bond that Anne and Helen had was truly something special.

[StaticImage]

Just incredible. Here I am with the flu, feeling like my life is so hard. Then there's the story of Helen Keller...

[richtygart]

Holy cow! I had no idea that Helen Keller was alive until 1968. She was around while the Beatles were around and all of the hippies. My entire life I thought she was some girl that lived and died in the 1800s.

[bgalbearth]

Thank goodness for her mother never giving up. She knew her daughter could be great and she was

[one-of-us]

Wow, so many people matter within this video. Parents, teachers, and a little girl who would not give up.
I am very impressed!
The one point I'd like to add is this; Helen maybe first responsible for the dog breed Akita to live in America. Not mentioned to criticize, because this woman could easily fill a one hour video so something is going to meet the cutting room floor... only mentioned because I love Akitas! Thanks crew and Simon too!

[jennyq]

I always remind myself how lucky I am that I can see, hear, and speak. I read a book about Helen Keller when I was in the 4th grade and I have admired her every since. She is a great example for personal courage, kindness, and being persistent. I sure hope that they still tell about her in schools.

[devonmay]

i can't imagine what it must've been like to wake up and suddenly you can see or hear anything...


respect to Helen's parents for not sending her away when she became difficult

[dlcalbaugh]

This was a beautiful biography. I have read about Helen Keller and have heard many things about her in the past, but Simon brought a caring and great love to the story of Helen and her progression in life. Thank you so much for this biography and Simon, keep the compassion that you showed in this story today. The background music may have helped, but it seemed extra special.

[flowertrue]

As a disabled person, Helen's story has always been an inspiration to me. Like her, I try not to let my disabilities stop me from doing what I want to go. The world would like to stomp us down because we're different, but we must stiffen our spine and move forward, never letting the world beat us, because honestly, once we give up, there's no point in going forward.

[thwilbury]

I have a sudden urge to watch The Miracle Worker again.

Nice job, Biographics.

[feliciaheath]

My father was raised in Tuscumbia and my family on that side is related to Helen. I spent every summer growing up going to the Helen Keller Festival in Tuscumbia and seeing the play The Miracle Worker performed at Ivy Green (the Keller's homestead). It fills my heart to see so many people on here giving so much love to this incredible woman who I am honored to call family. Thank you, Simon and the whole Biographics team for doing Helen so much justice. It truly never goes unnoticed or unappreciated!

[jamesvinson]

Viral meningitis that infects the brain is hell. I fell ill with it over 20 years ago and have a paralyzed left arm, severe migraines, muscle spasms, occasional seizures, and the doctor's didn't think I would survive either, that was in 1998, and yet here I am. From the time I could read, I always had a deep appreciation for history. Hellen Keller, if she indeed did suffer her blindness and deafness from viral meningitis of the brain, she turned out to be an inspiration to many. I try my best to improve the lives of those near and dear to me and I give help to those in need if I can because it's the right thing to do.

[ga]

Loved this story; my Mother (b.1925) encountered Helen Keller at an event in her elementary school in the mid 1930’s and, was rightly amazed by her.