Helen
Begins Writing
Helen starts
writing
She began writing while she was still a
student. She wrote "The story of my life", which is
now available in over than 50 languages, and she wrote another 13 books. She
wrote about
woman's rights, blindness and social problems.
John Albert Macy, a
Harvard English instructor, was hired to help with the organization and editing.
He worked closely with Helen and Anne, and in the years following this effort,
he and Anne fell in love. Anne resisted because of her commitment to Helen and
because John Macy was some 10 years younger, but with Helen's encouragement they
were married on May 2, 1905.
Polly Thompson
In 1914, Annie's health was failing, which
meant that Helen needed a new companion. This was how Polly Thompson entered
Helen's life. Polly was a young woman who had recently arrived from Scotland,
and although she had no experience with the blind or deaf, she was hired to keep
house. She was to become a life-long companion to Helen Love.
A moment of love
When Annie was ill and Polly was away, a
young man called Peter Fagan was hired to help. During a time when he and Helen
were alone, he declared his love and told her she was beautiful. She had never
been told she was beautiful and she fell for him. They decided to keep their
feelings secret for the moment, but Helen's mother learned of the matter.
A reporter had found an application for a
marriage license by Peter and Helen in the city records. Helen's mother
immediately took charge. She believed she saw flaws in the young man's
character, and he was immediately relieved of his duties and sent away.
Although there were a few follow-up letters between Helen and Peter (written in
Braille), the romance died.
In 1919, Helen
starred in a movie (a silent movie) on her life. This was received well but was
a failure financially. Helen had hoped to support herself from the profits, but
it was not to be. However, the movie led to a vaudeville tour for four years in
the early 1920s, which was a financial success.
The Organization of the AFB
In 1921, the American Foundation for the
Blind (AFB) was organized. Helen was invited to be a spokesperson for the
organization. She traveled extensively with Anne and Polly, giving speeches and
raising funds for the blind and for related causes. Along with her many books
and other writings, this was to become her life's work.
In 1930, Helen, Anne
and Polly began a series of over seas trips. They visited the British
Isles for summer vacations. In 1932, she received the honorary
degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Glasgow.
She met and visited the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
There were also visits to Yugoslavia France, and Japan.
Annie's Death
Throughout these years, Annie's health was
failing. She lost her sight and there was an "internal disorder". In
October 1935, Helen's Teacher and her dearest friend died.
"I
wanted to be loved. I was lonesome--then Helen came into my life. I wanted her
to love me and I loved her. Then later Polly came and I loved Polly and we were
always so happy together--my Polly, my Helen...Thank God I gave up my life so
that Helen might live. God help her to live without me when I go."
Anne Sullivan, from her deathbed.
After Anne,
Helen's work for the AFB and other worthy causes continued for many years.
During World War II, she visited the wounded soldiers in the United States.
After the war she travelled
to Germany, Africa, India, Latin America and other places.
During seven trips between 1946 and 1957, she visited 35 countries on
five continents. In 1955, when she was 75 years old, she embarked on one of her
longest and most grueling journeys, a 40,000-mile, five-month-long tour through
Asia. Between trips she stayed at
"Arcan
Ridge" her home that was named after a favorite place in Scotland. She
wrote volumes, including a book about Anne Sullivan Macy. Polly Thompson
continued as her companion until Polly's death in 1960.
"All
my life I have tried to avoid ruts, such as doing things my ancestors did before
me, or leaning on the crutches of other people's opinion, or losing my childhood
sense of wonderment. I am glad to say I still have a vivid curiosity about the
world I live in....it is as natural for me to believe that the richest harvest
of happiness comes with age as to believe that true sight and hearing are
within, not without.... " Helen Keller, on being asked about
growing older.
