Passage FiveHelen Keller was born a healthy normal child in Alabama in 1880. However, an illness with a high fever struck her when she was still a child. She became deaf, blind, and unable to speak. For little Helen, the world was suddenly a dark and frightening place. She was wild and stubborn. everal years later a miracle came into Helen's life when Anne Sullivan, a strong and loving person, became Helen's teacher. Miss Sullivan's teaching changed the child into a responsible human being. Through her help Helen Keller learned to communicate with those around her, and as she grew older, others benefited from her unique insights and courage. Miss Keller died in 1968, but her spirit lives on. It lives on in her articles and books and in the stories of people who were fortunate enough to meet her during her lifetime.51. Why was Helen Keller blind, deaf and unable to speak?