Dear Lions and Ladies:
I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at
every door but once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it
should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and grab 'em.
I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn't say what
you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have
to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is
full of splendid opportunities for service.
The American Foundation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the
blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and
in importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so
far. Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic
value and giving them the joy of normal activity.
Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling
and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn't
you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, "Come with me and I will teach you how to do
some of the things you used to do when you could see"? That is just the kind of friend the American
Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it must have.
You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another
soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my
teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to
work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy
and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the
blind will indeed triumph over blindness.
The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation
for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little
deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? 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 this crusade against darkness?
I thank you.
I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at
every door but once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it
should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and grab 'em.
I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted. The legend doesn't say what
you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have
to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is
full of splendid opportunities for service.
The American Foundation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the
blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and
in importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so
far. Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic
value and giving them the joy of normal activity.
Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling
and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn't
you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, "Come with me and I will teach you how to do
some of the things you used to do when you could see"? That is just the kind of friend the American
Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will give it the support it must have.
You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another, a ray of light from another
soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my
teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to
work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money. The gift without the sympathy
and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if we can make the people of this great country care, the
blind will indeed triumph over blindness.
The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation
for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little
deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? 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 this crusade against darkness?
I thank you.
| This is the speech that Helen Keller delivered to the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. June 30, 1925 |
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