Laura Dewey Bridgman’s Life Despite her lost senses Laura explored her silent world through touch. She was born on October 21, in Hanover NH. Laura lost her hearing, eyesight, taste and sense of smell. She was unable to walk for a year and unable to sit up all day for another. Despite all that Laura loved pretty and fancy clothes and was often finely dressed herself. Her childhood was amazing considering her disabilities. Laura Bridgman faced a world of only touch. Her friends and family helped her to be courageous and strong. By 12 her name Laura Dewey Bridgman echoed everywhere she was that famous. Laura had gestures for her mom and dad and 8 siblings, Mary, Collina, (who died of scarlet fever) Addison, Milo, John, Mary, Frances and Ellen. She could only be controlled by being physically over powered, which her dad did easily. Laura’s teachers and friends helped her like Asa T. her 1st friend, Dr. Howe, Sarah W. and Oliver L. all whom were her teachers. As Laura grew she learned more and more in her confined world of touch. If you want to learn about why Laura was famous for her disabilities then you’re in luck! Laura was the first blind and deaf person to ever attend a regular school. She could write and talk by 20 years old. Her teachers were very eager to teach her English. Also she was a great writer. Her parents thought her best chance of being educated was at the Boston school, they sent her there 11 weeks before her 8the b-day. Stay tuned to hear more about Laura’s career as a blind and deaf learner. Laura copied peoples hand movements to help her along the way. Laura used to be able to see out of her right eye, but then she lost her sight completely. She learned how to sew and knit by feeling her mom’s hands. She used only touch to find things out which can get difficult at times. Laura had sounds for each of her friends. Laura was learning more and more in her silent world. As Laura grew up she grew more and more famous. The adult Laura knew Hellen Keller and Anne Sullivan. She could talk with her fingers better than her mouth. Laura was obsessed with good and evil people. Did you know that she was only quiet when she was alone? Laura had more and more surprises for her teachers and friends. Nearing the end of her life Laura had many of her teachers die. She needed raised print to read. Laura drew more attention than any other student at Perkins. She had 1,000’s of people visit her. Even though Laura feared dyeing she died peacefully in her sleep at age 59, and was buried in the Dana cemetery in Hanover New Hampshire. That’s Laura’s deaf blind life. I hope you learned some new facts about her and how amazing and brave she was.