If You Give Me Three Days of Light: The Best Collection of Helen Keller

Chapter 43 Helen Keller Letters (11)
. . . I have communicated with you about my project for a school for deaf and blind children.I have to declare that I support this project with all my heart and soul, I want to contribute to deaf and blind children, I hope they can get the same treatment as me, except for those who are really hostile to teachers, I have never It hadn't occurred to me that the plan might encounter strong opposition.But now, after careful consideration and consultation with my friends, I have decided that this plan is not feasible.For I have completely neglected the fact that innumerable obstacles must be overcome in order to realize such a plan.

My friends misunderstood that there might be one or two pupils in our family, and deduced from this that this was the source of my overabundance of love and delusions about building a large school.Although they think this way out of good intentions, I can't help but think this way: they don't consider the issue from a humanitarian standpoint, but mostly weigh the pros and cons from a commercial point of view.I think they don't quite understand my desire to hope that all disabled people who have the same experience as me can be educated in human's excellent thoughts, knowledge and love.

Of course I will not turn a blind eye to people's controversy and the pressure around me, I understand that I have to give up this unrealistic plan.Friends said that if I went to Radcliffe, I should have an advisory board to run my day-to-day affairs.I considered this suggestion carefully, and then I said to Mr. Rhodes that I could always turn to my friends, no matter how serious my problems, and that I was proud of having so many friends of bright minds.If possible, I'd choose a six-person "committee"—my mom, my teacher who treated me like a mom, Mrs. Hughton, Mr. Rhodes, Dr. Greer, and Mr. Rogers (because of their I was able to enter the university's school gate because of the financial support).Mrs. Hughton had written to her mother, and she told her mother to call back and let her know if she agreed to accept counselors other than her and the teacher.We heard back from mum this morning, and she agreed to the arrangement.Now, all that remains is to write to Dr. Greer and Mr. Rogers...

After we had a long talk with Dr. Bell, he said that if a school were established for the deaf and blind children they would lose their valuable opportunity to attend regular schools and enjoy the richness of the able-bodied children. Colorful life.This is a blind act.Although I am puzzled by this view, I don't know how to act.In the end he came up with a plan that satisfies all of us.He said that all friends who supported the school plan should be united to form an association for the promotion of education for deaf and blind children, and my teacher and I were naturally included.

The association will assign teachers to train relevant personnel, and those trained will go to the homes of deaf and blind children to teach, just like my teacher taught me when I was a child.Funds raised by the association will be used to pay the boarding fees and salaries of the trainee teachers.When we heard this suggestion, we clapped and cheered happily. In fact, the teacher and I have not been so happy for a long time.We were still excited when we parted from Dr. Bell, even though we hadn't done anything yet.But my ambition is being realized step by step. If I can benefit deaf and blind children in the future, it will be a crazy thing.

Finally, Dr. Bell also told me that I must maintain an optimistic and positive attitude, and compete with those girls in Radcliffe who can see and hear.

Be sure to let me know what you think of Dr. Bell's advice.While I'll have to hear from all sides before making a statement or actually taking action, this seems to me the most feasible and sensible idea...

Helen Keller
letter 81
To Mr. William Wade

14 Coolidge Street, Cambridge, 1900 November 12

...Because you care so much for deaf and blind children, I would like to tell you a few examples that I have recently encountered.

I met Tommy Stringer at Wrantham Station a few days ago.He is now a tall, strong boy.Soon, he'll need a man to watch over him.He was too big for a lady, so it would have been overwhelming to take care of him.I heard he was about to transfer to public school and his progress was amazing.He's not great at conversational though, so far he's only saying "yes" and "no"

In October, I heard about an unusual little girl named Ruby Rice.She is Texan and about 10 years old.She never went to school, but people say she can sew, and likes to help people with such things.Her sense of smell is so amazing that when she walks into a store, she can walk right up to the counter and identify what she wants.Her parents were so anxious to find a teacher for her that they wrote to Mr. Hetz about the girl.

I also know a kid named Maude Scott who goes to the Mississippi Institute for the Deaf and Blind, she's six years old.Miss Watkins, Proud's tutor, wrote me a very interesting letter.She said Maude was born deaf and went blind at three months old.When she first arrived at school a few weeks ago, she looked helpless.She can't even walk, only when she holds someone's hand.She also doesn't know how to do things with her hands. When people teach her to string beads, her little hands will slip to the side.Apparently, her sense of touch had never been developed.Still, she seemed to be an extremely bright kid.Miss Watkins also added that she was very beautiful.When Proud started to learn to read, I would write to her, and I would send her many story books.Whenever I think of this sweet little girl, it hurts me that all the good things and joys in life were cut off from her, that she was so utterly deprived.But fortunately, she has a teacher like Miss Watkins.

Not long ago, when I was in New York, I met Miss Rhodes, and she told me that she had met Katie McGore.Once, Katie played with Miss Rhodes's ring and took the ring away. She laughed mischievously and said, "You'll never get it again!" young girl behaves exactly like a little girl.However, she said Katie
Very cute indeed, just badly in need of proper teaching.Because she could understand only the simplest things that Miss Rhodes talked about now.Some books had been sent to her lately, but Miss Rhodes could not find one iota of simple writing suitable for Katie's level of reading!I am greatly shocked to hear this, for Katie was, as can be easily judged from your previous letters, a very precocious girl. . . .

Helen Keller
letter 82

To Charles T.Mr. Copeland

Nov. 1900, 12

Dear Mr. Copeland:
If I take the liberty of writing this letter to you, you will think that I have become discouraged and stopped writing my thesis.Or sneak out of your class like a coward to avoid criticism.You don't have to worry about these two unpleasant thoughts.I didn't get discouraged, and I didn't back down.

Now I am confident that I can continue to write my thesis as before, and I am sure I will pass the exam with a fairly good grade, but it is a pity that I am completely lost in this kind of "literary hodgepodge". Interested.

Since I started taking your class in October, I have completely forgotten the limitations of my body and the particularity of the environment I am in. I have been doing my best to look up to the students around me. Even so, my homework is still not satisfactory .

Previously, I never realized what my problem was.But luckily.There is no denying that I have always been open to the perspectives and experiences of others.I never thought my own "viewpoint" or "unique experience" was anything to brag about.After you reminded me, I finally understood that I had been delusional about trapping a carriage that didn't belong to me, what a stupid behavior it was.From now on, I will still do my part well, I will live out myself, and I will put my thoughts and ideas into writing.Once I can write something that is emotional and original—the kind that deserves your critique, I'll let you see it.If your judgment is negative, then I will continue to write until you are satisfied. If I can write such an article and get your praise, then I will be very happy...

Helen Keller
letter 83

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
14 Coolidge Street, Cambridge, 1900 November 12

...I'm sure you've seen our "Class Lunch" coverage in the papers.I wonder how the newspaper can know everything, I'm sure no reporter was there at the time.I only spoke a few words because I didn't know what to say just a few minutes before I was asked to speak.I thought I'd write to tell you that I've been elected Vice-President of the freshman class at Radcliffe College.All in all, I had a great time, a lot of fun baking and lecturing.

Remember those new clothes I mentioned in my last letter?It was a real evening dress—a low-cut, short-sleeved, floor-length dress in light blue with tulle lace of the same colour.Although I only wore it once, I feel that even King Solomon in his most glorious time cannot match me!Because he can never have clothes like mine...

A gentleman living in Philadelphia wrote to his teacher about a little boy in Paris, only five years old, who was also blind and deaf. Before he lost his hearing due to disease, the child could only speak two or three sentences.His parents were both Polish, and his father was a very talented doctor.Poor little guy, I wish I could do something for him, but he's so young and my teacher thought it would be too bad to take him away from his mother.

I also received a letter from Mrs. Shaw, which also mentioned the possibility of helping these children.She said that if all my friends were united to give love, then "at the beginning of the new century, a new route for the journey of love will be opened, and the desire to build a better world will become easier to achieve."According to Dr. Bell, the most recent census will show that at least a thousand blind and deaf children in the United States are educated.I think the actions to save these unfortunate children will definitely be carried out...

Helen Keller
letter 84

To Mr. William Wade

Cambridge, February 1901, 2

...By the way, do you have any standard typefaces printed for blind people who have recently lost their sight, have stiff fingers, and are not very sensitive to touch?That is, a template for standard British Braille?
I saw an introduction to the Braille system in an English magazine and I was eager to learn more about it.I feel that if the system works as it is described, there is no reason why blind people all over the world should not adopt it.I don't think there is anything more absurd in the world than the use of five or six kinds of Braille at the same time.This braille is especially multilingual, and it's amazing that even Greek can be embossed in this way.Moreover, this system can save a lot of space and paper.The following letter is in response to the editors of Datong World magazine, who want to make a tentative plan, that is, if they have enough subscribers, they are willing to publish the magazine in the form of "embossed letter edition".Obviously, blind people should have a high-quality magazine.While the blind community doesn't have the ability to subscribe, it doesn't take much to make up for the extra overhead.

Helen Keller
letter 85

To "Datong World" magazine
Cambridge, February 1901, 2

New York "Datong World" Magazine:

It is only today, gentlemen, that I find time to reply to your interesting letters.A singing bird has brought good news to my ears.It has brought me endless joy and this news comes directly from you.You printed "The World of Great Harmony" in an "embossed version" to make it a touchable language. This is indeed a practice worthy of praise.It can let people know what the world is thinking, as well as people's emotions, successes and failures - the joy that magazines bring to readers is far beyond the reach of words.I firmly believe that the Shandan of "Datong World" will definitely bring light to those who live in darkness, and at the same time, you will also get the praise and extensive support you deserve.But whether your good deeds for the blind will be understood by those loyal readers who will accept such a publication, I am not sure.

Because as far as I know, the blind class is very poor.If necessary, I hope that friends of blind people can help "Datong World" do what they can?I am sure that once the news is out, all love and aid will be ready and that acts of generosity will bear noble fruit.

I sincerely hope that your plan can be implemented smoothly, which is very important to me.

Helen Keller
letter 86

To Dr. Edward Everett Hale
Cambridge, February 1901, 11

Tomorrow's commemorative meeting of "Dr. Hao's Centennial Birthday" is something my teacher and I are very much looking forward to attending.For those who enjoyed education and happiness, Dr. Hao not only opened their blind eyes, but also brought words to their silent lips.

I'm afraid I won't have the opportunity to speak to you then, so I thought I'd write to you now, as I'm so excited at the thought of your upcoming speech at the conference.You express your gratitude to Dr. Hao more than anyone else.

I tried to imagine what my life would have been like if Dr. Hao hadn't fulfilled the mission God had given him.How could I have been a sophomore at Radcliffe if he hadn't taken it upon himself to educate Laura Bridgman and bring her back from the "river of death"?How can I sit in my study and enjoy the pleasure of being in close contact with great wisdom.Of course, it is meaningless to speculate on Dr. Hao's great achievements here.

No words are enough to describe the suffering of prison, or the joyful soul after escaping from captivity.I imagine only those who, like Lola Bridgman, have been rescued from the "river of death" can experience the solitary, claustrophobic pain that is unspeakable.
A sense of helplessness, no thoughts, no beliefs, no hope.Before Dr. Hao started his career, the blind were a poor and helpless group. Now, we are self-reliant and independent. How much progress we have made in this process. The objective environment has built high walls around us. But so what?With the help of friends from all walks of life, our world is held up high - it is wide and high, carrying us across the heaven!

It is gratifying that Dr. Hao's noble behavior has won wide acclaim from the world.Here, I only send my most sincere greetings on behalf of my teacher and me.

your faithful friend
Helen Keller
letter 87

To the Honorable Mr. George Frasby Hall
Cambridge, Massachusetts, November 1901, 11

Dear Senator Hall:

I am very happy that you liked my letter evaluating Dr. Hao. Maybe it can touch others because it comes from my true feelings.I will ask Dr. Hale to lend me that letter so I can make a copy for you.You know, I use a typewriter all the time, so to speak, it's my go-to guy.All my papers and exams were done on a typewriter, even my Greek.I don't even know how I got to college without it.In fact, the typewriter had only one flaw, which in the eyes of the professor might have been a plus—you could spot a person's mistakes with just a little scanning.Because as long as you use a typewriter, you have no chance of covering up mistakes with illegible handwriting.You may laugh when you hear me say that I am very interested in politics.However, my political views are very immature, because every time I read a new book, I may change my political views.I try to understand today's social issues by reading newspapers, and I used to think that if I studied civil politics and economics, all my difficulties and doubts would be solved...

Helen Keller
(End of this chapter)