Helen Keller was born on 27th June 1880 in Tuscumbia in Alabama. Her father, Arthur H. Keller, was a descendant of Caspar Keller who was a native of Switzerland. He was a captain in the confederate army. Helen’s mother was Kate Adams who was Arthur’s second wife and was many years younger. At the age of nineteen months, Helen became very ill with brain fever. When the fever subsided, Helen was left blind and deaf forever. Helen was quite eager to learn. Despite her handicap she had learnt some crude signs of communication and also how to fold the clothes etc. later, she showed exceptional capabilities for learning and very soon could learn to read, write or even speak. She had voracious passion for learning, knowledge and exploration.Like Wordsworth, she learnt to find solace in nature and its peaceful serenity. Her power of observation was commendable. How beautifully she has described the details of her observations! Even those with eyes and ears cannot describe as beautifully as she has done. Natural beauty was abundant around her house. The Keller homestead was quite near a rose- bower. Its old fashioned garden was the paradise of her childhood. Before Miss Sullivan's arrival, this garden was the place where Helen went to find comfort and hide her hot face in the cool leaves and grass. Helen felt extremely happy in that garden of flowers, wandering happily from spot to spot. She could recognize each vine and plant by touching them.  Helen was a prodigy child since her early childhood! However, the challenges she faced were quite arduous---as if Nature had planned a special obstacle course for her to help her bring her best out! After being rendered blind and disabled in hearing and speaking, Helen's frustration to learn more and more about life mounted very high. Her hearing disability combined with visual disability made the teaching and learning more challenging. Helen was a very industrious girl; she always did her best to learn. She had such a natural, innate passion for learning which always motivated her. Manual alphabet, reading, arithmetic, etc., all were formidable challenges for her initially, but Helen overcame them. The most arduous of all of them was learning to speak. Learning to speak is almost an impossible task for those who  have hearing disability. So Helen had to work very hard. She had to repeat each word and sentence many times for the right tone and pronunciation. She practiced untiringly. At times she became discouraged and weary too, but she never gave up. She faced all the difficulties courageously. Her courage and perseverance are source of inspiration for all mankind!

Character Sketch of Helen Keller

Helen Keller was a remarkable woman who overcame numerous challenges in her life to become an inspiration to many around the world. Here is a detailed character sketch of this extraordinary individual:

Determination
Helen Keller was known for her incredible determination. Despite being deaf and blind from a young age, she never let her disabilities hold her back. She was determined to learn and communicate, eventually mastering sign language and braille.

Intelligence
Despite her disabilities, Helen Keller was a highly intelligent individual. She was able to learn multiple languages and became a prolific writer and speaker. Her intelligence shone through in her ability to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals.

Compassion
Helen Keller was a compassionate individual who dedicated her life to helping others. She was a strong advocate for people with disabilities and worked tirelessly to improve their lives. Her compassion and empathy for others made her a beloved figure in the disability rights movement.

Resilience
Throughout her life, Helen Keller faced numerous challenges and setbacks, but she never gave up. She faced adversity with resilience and courage, always finding a way to overcome obstacles. Her resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to her strength of character.

Inspiration
Helen Keller's life story continues to inspire people around the world. Her determination, intelligence, compassion, and resilience serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. She remains a shining example of the power of the human spirit.