Born: 1911 (Bilozerka, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine)
Died: 1982
Biography:
Olga Ivanovna Skorokhodova was a remarkable Soviet scientist, therapist, teacher, and writer who overcame incredible challenges to make significant contributions to the field of education for deafblind children. She was born on May 24, 1911, in Bilozerka, Kherson Oblast, which is in present-day Ukraine.
Skorokhodova’s early years were marked by hardship and tragedy. Her father, who was a peasant, was mobilized for war in 1914 and never returned, leaving her mother to work as a housemaid for a priest. At the tender age of five, Olga contracted meningitis, resulting in the loss of her vision and hearing. Despite these immense obstacles, she remained resilient and determined to make the most of her life.
In 1922, after her mother’s death, Skorokhodova was sent to a school for the blind in Odessa. However, it was in 1925 that her life took a significant turn when she joined the School-Clinic for Deafblind children in Kharkiv, founded by the renowned professor Ivan A. Sokolyansky. Under his expert care, Olga made remarkable progress, regaining her speech and even starting to keep notes on self-observation.
Skorokhodova’s incredible journey of self-discovery and learning was chronicled in her book How I perceive the world, which she published in 1947. The book captured the attention and admiration of many, earning her the prestigious K. D. Ushynsky prize. This remarkable literary work was later expanded with a second part titled How I perceive and represent the world in 1954 and a third part titled How I perceive, imagine, and understand the surrounding world in 1972.
In 1948, Skorokhodova became a research fellow at the Institute for the Handicapped for the Academy of Educational Sciences of the USSR. She dedicated her entire career to this institution, furthering research and innovation in the field of education for individuals with disabilities. She was the world’s only deafblind researcher and used her unique perspective to develop scientific works on the development of education and teaching methods for deafblind children.
Skorokhodova’s tireless efforts and groundbreaking research have had a lasting impact on the field of special education. She not only transformed the lives of deafblind children but also inspired countless others who faced similar challenges. Her ability to overcome immense hardships and achieve great success serves as a testament to the power of determination and perseverance.
On May 7, 1982, Olga Ivanovna Skorokhodova passed away, leaving behind an incredible legacy in the field of education for individuals with disabilities. Her groundbreaking contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated today.
Awards:
– K. D. Ushynsky prize for her book How I perceive the world