Ken Haskins
Helen Keller’s story is inspirational on many fronts. Hers is a story of tragedy and hardship, love and faith, diligence and hard work, patient endurance and vision.
Helen lost her sight and hearing when she was 19 months of age. At age 7, Helen met the miracle worker, Anne Sullivan. Through Sullivan’s loving tutelage, Helen would learn to read and write. Keller would go on to earn a bachelor of arts degree from Radcliffe College of Harvard University.
Helen left an amazing legacy. As an author, she wrote 14 books, including an autobiography. As an orator, she delivered hundreds of speeches.
As a political advocate, she campaigned for people with disabilities and for a woman’s right to vote.
Perhaps, Helen’s greatest gift and legacy was her vision. Though blind, Helen looked forward to a bright future for those in darkness.
One hundred years ago, Helen addressed the Lions Club International Convention at Cedar Point, Ohio. The following is an excerpt from her speech: “Those who are in the dark from childhood are hard pressed to find their place in the work of the world; but the man suddenly stricken blind is another Samson, bound, helpless, dependent, until a way is found to unchain him. Try to imagine how you would feel if you lost your sight tomorrow. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night, your work, your independence gone! In that dark hour wouldn’t your heart cry out for a friend to teach you how to live in the dark?”
Helen then challenged the Lions, “I appeal to you, Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind, will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in my crusade against darkness?”
The Lions Club accepted Helen’s challenge. Today, Lions Clubs International is the largest membership-based service organization in the world with 1.4 million members in 49,000 clubs in 200 countries-and the focus is vision.
In 2024, nearly 2,000 Carson City students from preschool through ninth grade had their vision screened by the Lions Clubs of Carson City and Dayton. The Lions clubs also collect, refurbish and distribute glasses in foreign lands. The Carson Host Lions Club also provides about 70 eye exams and new glasses annually. The Lions serve in many ways, but vision is the Club’s focus-thanks to the vision of a great, blind soul. Through the loving touch of her teacher, Helen said, “I found myself, found the world, and found God!”
Where is it written that your life cannot be as inspirational? You have little to offer God? Moses had a staff. David had a sling. A young boy had two little fishes and five loaves of bread. Be faithful and give to God what you have. He will do great things through you … and you will do great things through Christ who gives you strength. What is your vision? What will your legacy be?
Ken Haskins is head pastor at First Christian Church.