Born: December 21, 1829 (Hanover, New Hampshire)
Died: May 24, 1889
Biography:
Laura Dewey Lynn Bridgman (December 21, 1829 – May 24, 1889) was the first deaf-blind American child to gain a significant education in the English language, twenty years before the more famous Helen Keller; Laura’s friend Anne Sullivan became Helen Keller’s aide. Bridgman was left deaf-blind at the age of two after contracting scarlet fever. She was educated at the Perkins Institution for the Blind where, under the direction of Samuel Gridley Howe, she learned to read and communicate using Braille and the manual alphabet developed by Charles-Michel de l’Épée. For several years, Bridgman gained celebrity status when Charles Dickens met her during his 1842 American tour and wrote about her accomplishments in his American Notes. Her fame was short-lived, however, and she spent the remainder of her life in relative obscurity, most of it at the Perkins Institute, where she passed her time sewing and reading books in Braille.
Early years
Bridgman was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, the third daughter of Daniel Bridgman, a Baptist farmer, and his wife Harmony, daughter of Cushman Downer, and granddaughter of Joseph Downer, one of the five first settlers (1761) of Thetford, Vermont. Laura was a delicate infant, small and rickety, who often had convulsions until she was eighteen months old. Her family was struck with scarlet fever when Laura was two years old. The illness killed her two older sisters and left her deaf, blind, and without a sense of smell or taste. Though she gradually recovered her health, she remained deaf and blind.
Laura’s mother kept her well-groomed and showed the child affection, but Laura received little attention from the rest of her family, including her father who, on occasion, tried to frighten her into obedience by stamping his foot hard on the floor to startle her with the vibrations. Her closest friend was a kind, mentally impaired hired man of the Bridgmans, Asa Tenney, whom she credited with making her childhood happy. Tenney had some kind of expressive language disorder himself and communicated with Laura in signs. He knew Native Americans who used a sign language (probably Abenaki using Plains Indian Sign Language) and had begun to teach Laura to express herself using these signs when she was sent away to school.
Education at the Perkins School
In 1837, James Barrett of Dartmouth College saw Bridgman and mentioned her case to Dr. Reuben Mussey, the head of the medical department. Mussey visited the Bridgman home and found Laura affectionate and intelligent, who, despite her severe disabilities, could perform basic household tasks such as sewing and setting the table. Mussey sent an account to Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, the director of the Perkins Institution for the Blind, suggesting that Laura could potentially be educated.
At the age of eight, Laura was admitted to the Perkins Institution in Boston on October 4, 1837. Dr. Howe undertook her education and made painstaking efforts to develop a communication system suitable for Laura’s unique needs. He developed a manual alphabet system by combining elements of the French manual alphabet and tactile fingerspelling. With this system, Laura learned to read and write. She was also taught basic arithmetic, geography, history, and science. Howe’s success with Laura’s education brought him international recognition and fame.
Despite her remarkable progress, Laura faced several setbacks during her education. She suffered from frequent illnesses and struggled with understanding abstract concepts. However, she showed determination and resilience, pushing through these challenges with the support of her teachers and mentors.
Public Attention and Friendship with Charles Dickens
In 1842, Laura gained public attention when Charles Dickens, the renowned English writer, visited the Perkins Institution and met her during his American tour. Dickens was deeply moved by Laura’s intelligence and capabilities, and he wrote about her in his travelogue, American Notes for General Circulation. His account portrayed Laura as a remarkable individual, dispelling misconceptions about the abilities of deaf-blind people.
Life in Relative Obscurity
Despite the initial fame, Laura’s celebrity status faded over time. She spent the remainder of her life at the Perkins Institute, where she engaged in various activities. Laura enjoyed sewing and became skilled at the craft. She also spent her time reading books in Braille, expanding her knowledge and intellectual pursuits.
Laura Bridgman’s impact on society cannot be overstated. Her successful education and achievements paved the way for future advancements in deaf-blind education. By proving that deaf-blind individuals could learn and communicate effectively, she challenged societal stereotypes and promoted inclusion and understanding.
Although Laura’s fame dwindled, her story continues to inspire and serve as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the power of education. Her legacy persists through her friendship with Anne Sullivan, who later became a teacher and companion to Helen Keller. Laura’s groundbreaking achievements continue to shape the field of special education and serve as a beacon of hope for individuals with sensory impairments.
Awards:
– Recognition for her educational achievements and advancements in deaf-blind education.