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Helen
Keller's Speech
1925 International Convention
Cedar Point, Ohio USA June 30, 1925
Dear Lions and Ladies:
I suppose you have heard the legend that
represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at every door but
once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to
return. And that is as it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait.
You have to go out and grab 'em.
I am your opportunity. I am knocking at
your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn't say what you are to do
when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door.
I guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt
me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid
opportunities for service.
The American Foundation for the Blind is
only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind, and
was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and
international in scope and in importance. It represents the best and most
enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far. Its
object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by
increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal
activity.
Try to imagine how you would feel if you
were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping
at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that
dark world wouldn't you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said,
"Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used
to do when you could see"? That is just the kind of friend the American
Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing
people will give it the support it must have.
You have heard how through a little word
dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another soul
touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found
God. It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark,
silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and
for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the
sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make
the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over
blindness.
The opportunity I bring to you, Lions,
is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the
Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day
when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child
untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who
have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will
you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade
against darkness?
I thank you. |
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