Question

How does Hermann’s biography of Helen Keller reflect or challenge myths of disability?

Answer 1

The given piece of literature highlights the controversial relationship that Helen shared with her teacher. Her various struggles for survival, carving a space in the society, attempt to love a normal life (love affairs), and struggle while being the voice of disabled people have been highlighted by the author. Her desires, passions and intelligence have not been impacted by her disabilities & haven't managed to be an obstacle in her pathway to success. It was made possible through her immense resilience as well as with the support of the people who surrounded her & whom she could rely on.

Mythology and ancient literature has texts suggesting the mockery of the 'disabled' or those who deviated from normalcy. In those times, an accurate vocabulary describing the 'norms' and therefore 'abnormality' did not exist in the manner it does today. But at the same time a classification between what is 'ideal' and what is 'grotesque' was understood by them. Therefore stereotypes that prevail till date can be said to be originating from such age old beliefs. Various myths suggest the crippling of individuals from birth due to past sins, some due to the Evil's attempt to take over the world, and some due to poor adherence of virtues. Since such negative connotations are linked to disabilities, they are considered away from normalcy & therefore often isolated/segregated from society. The given book is rebel in itself to such age old beliefs & myths. This is because repenting one's sin in the present birth is the way to salvation whereas, picking up the broken pieces of whatever little one possesses & utilizing it to living a life of fulfillment was something unexpected from disabled. The term in itself is suggestive of 'inabilities' rather than capacities. Moreover, the book really suggests that only those individuals are celebrated in the society today who are able to transform themselves somehow in order to live a life 'normalcy' which again is a social construct craeted by us. This means our inability to understand the lives of a section of our society is leading us to have irrational expectations from them in many ways. This may be a matter of subjective opinion as well, however the fact that the book challenges age old belief systems and myths prevalent with regard to myths is unquestionable.