When I was eight-years-old I got the chicken pox. Nothing out of the ordinary for an eight-year-old in the eighties but for me it changed my life. My babysitter knew I loved to read so she picked up a few books from the Book Mobile to keep me occupied and away from the other children. One of the books was the Biography of Helen Keller. I still remember it was a green paperback, it was pretty beat up and it had the alphabet in Braille on the back.

I always loved biographies but this particular one made a huge impact. When I began to read about Helen and Annie and how they overcame everything they were told could never happen…it was an inspiration. I wanted to be like them. I wanted to do something significant. I knew if Helen Keller was able to change laws and create schools and start non-profits all while being blind and deaf, there was nothing that could hold me back either. I wanted to change the world right then and there.

Now I live everyday to try and achieve that goal. I am a long way off but my heart and passion for helping others is still strong. I know if I don’t personally change the world I want to be part of something that does. It all begins with one story.