Mason Renfroe

Mrs. Dott

English 3 H (period 4)

26 September 2017
American Trailblazers
The person I chose to be my American trailblazer is the well respected woman, Helen
Keller. She is the epitome of an American trailblazer because, with her courage and
resourcefulness, she altered the worlds perception of the true capabilities of the disabled. Helen
Keller is a real inspiration because, not only did she have to overcome adversity, but she did it in
such an amazing way. Helen Keller was affected by her loss of hearing and sight after being sick
with scarlet fever at only 19 months of age. Thanks to her teacher, Anne Sullivan, she learned by
using finger-spelling then later braille and hand signals to understand the world. Despite her
disabilities, she graduated from Radcliffe College, and her achievements brought attention to the
capabilities of the deaf and blind. Helen was also an educator, a fundraiser for the American
Foundation for the Blind, and an earnest advocate for people with the same disabilities. She was
responsible for many advances in public services for the disabled such as the creation of schools
for the deaf and blind. Without Helen Kellers audacity and relentless advocacy, people with
disabilities would not have the same opportunities and understanding they have today.

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https://www.biography.com/people/helen-keller-9361967
http://www.history.com/topics/helen-keller