Center for Vision Loss

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNE SULLIVAN!

Happy Birthday, Anne Sullvan! The Center for Vision Loss wants you to know why this lady, born on April 14, 1866, has become so important to individuals providing programs and services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Anne Sullivan was born in western Massachusetts to Irish immigrants Thomas and Alice Sullivan. At the age of 5, she contracted trachoma, an eye disease caused by bacteria. The trachoma eventually caused recurring irritation and scarring of her corneas leading to severe vision loss. When Anne was 8 years old, her mother died and her father abandoned his family. Anne and her brother Jimmie were sent to live in the "poor house" in Tewksbury.

The Tewksbury Almshouse was known for its deplorable and overcrowded conditions. However, while there, Anne underwent eye operations that gave her some short-term relief. She also learned from another resident who was blind that there were schools for blind children and from that day forward her ambition was to gain an education from one of those schools.

On October 7, 1880, Anne Sullivan gained admittance to the Perkins Institution in Massachusetts. She was 14, could not read or write, did not know how to thread a needle and never owned anything including a nightgown or hairbrush. However, Anne turned out to be very bright and a quick learner. She worked with teachers who understood her and could challenge her and also had another surgery on her eyes which allowed her to see well enough to read print. Anne graduated from Perkins in June, 1886 as the valedictorian.

Following graduation, Anne was not sure what her future held. That summr, however, Captain Keller of Alabama wrote to the Perkins director asking him to recommend a teacher for his young daughter Helen, who had been deaf and blind since the age of 19 months. Anne got the job and in 1887, moved to Tuscumbia, Alabama to work with Helen.

Anne approached Helen's education in a new way. Rather than follow a strict schedule and formal lessons, Anne decided to enter Helen's world, follow her interests and add language and vocabulary to those activities. This creative approach proved successful and Helen flourished.

Helen and Anne's relationship continued throughout their lives. Helen Keller, who ultimately gained international fame for her compassion, thoughts and work, continues to serve as an inspiration especially for young people who are deafblind. Anne likewise serves as an inspiration for teachers who help these students achieve their potential.

Today we woud call Anne Sullivan a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT). This profession focuses on providing techniques that recognize the importance of meeting the student wherever they are and focusing on their goals. Today VTRs receive extensive training which often includes a Master's Degree and national certification through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals. VRT Awareness Week celebrates these teachers and this year was held from April 12-18, 2015, the week of Anne's birthday.

The Center for Vision Loss recognizes the importance of vision rehabilitation in preparing our customers to work towards their own level of independence in coping with vision loss. While we provide them with programs and services including casework services, lifeskills education, support groups and sociaization and customer enrichment activities, we also provide referrals to the PA Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services for training with VRTs.

If you or someone you know is struggling to cope with vision loss, please contact us at 610-433-6018 in the Lehigh Valley or 570-992-7787 in Monroe County. Or read more about us at www.centerforvisionloss.org. If you wish to learn more about Anne Sullivan, go to www.perkins.org/about/history/anne-sullivan. The material you read here was provided by the Perkins Institute.