The Story of My Life is the story of Helen Keller and it is her own autobiography. The first ten chapters have to do with setting the background for the remarkable journey of this celebrated author and speaker. The first three chapters descrbe her family's estate and the fact that she was born like any other child, with all of her faculties working properly. Then when she is 18 months old she is stricken with a high fever that leaves her deaf and blind afterwards. They believe now that she had Scarlet Fever. As she grew from that point on, she was isolated by her inability to communicate her wants, needs, and thoughts with others. She would become quite upset if she didn't make others understand what she wanted. The next few chapters chronicle the family's attempts to get her help (they were very wealthy). They even take her to see Alexander Graham Bell (inventor of the phone) to see if he can help. Though he and Helen get along quite well and she feels as if he is 'listening' to her, he is unable to help. The last few chapters deal with the arrival of Anne Sullivan, the teacher who would finally be able to break through the barriers to bring communication and words back to Helen's life. Anne is very stubborn, but patient with Helen. She is also very outspoken about the way Helen has been allowed to run wild for the first decade of her life. During a very trying lesson, Anne takes Helen outside to the gardens to calm down. There is an old pump there with an old fashioned pump. Anne pumps the handle and water begins coming out. Helen remembers the word for water from when she was 18months old (Wa Wa) and says the word. Immediately, Anne spells the sign for water in Helen's hand. The light bulb comes on and Anne begins learning language at a phenomenal rate.
