When Judith Heumann was 18 months old, she had polio. Throughout her life, she was denied basic rights by her surroundings due to the disease, and she and her parents have recognized that disabilities cause “fear” in others. Some neighbors were afraid of contagion. Even the doctor suggested to her parents that they should send her an institution.

In addition, she couldn’t go to regular high school because of the Board of Education. Furthermore, she couldn’t get a driver’s license even though she passed the oral and written tests. It was because she failed the mental exam which included how she goes to the bathroom. Finally, she and her parents had a voice against the Board of Education, and she became able to go to a regular high school and take regular classes with many other students. She sued the Board of Education with the support of The New York Times. Thanks to that, she got the support to get a driver’s license, and a job as a teacher.

I think that it is very important not to think disabled people can’t do something, or they are different from others, because they are not different from others at all. Even though Helen Keller was born without any vision, sound, and knowledge, she achieved a remarkable career, championing the deaf and blind and still advocating having hope to people all over the world. As always, we should be kind and true to everyone in society with warm hearts, because “The best, and most beautiful, things in the world cannot be seen, or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Helen says.