Laura Bridgman biography

Alexander, S. H., & Alexander, R. J. (2008). She touched the world: Laura Bridgman, deaf-blind pioneer. New York: Clarion Books.

This is a fascinating biography of a courageous woman of the mid 1800's. Laura was a frail child who became ill. She lost her sight and hearing yet, she continued to learn about the world about the world around her. She was a productive member of society. She was an inspiration for so many. Her parents from the very start never doubted her ability to be a responsible Baptist. Samuel Gridley Howe of the Perkins Institute was the most compassionate dedicated teacher one could hope for in what seemed as a dismal situation. Laura Bridgman taught Anne Sullivan how to communicate with the impaired. Dr. Howe published the account of Laura Bridgman’s education in the Perkins Annual Reports, making both teacher and student internationally famous. In 1842, British writer Charles Dickens visited Perkins and wrote of his encounter with Laura in his book, American Notes. The meat of the story of Laura Bridgman's life was the almost unpalatable aspect of the controlling Unitarian thought of Dr.Howe.