The Power of Perseverance

The speech Address of Helen Keller at Mount Airy connects to aerialist Jen Bricker in many ways. Both Helen Keller and Jen Bricker overcame major obstacles to achieve a goal, were taught to have a good attitude by a special person in their life, and never gave up. Helen Keller was born blind and deaf. Jen Bricker was born without legs.

Both of these women had a goal; one to speak and one to be a gymnast. In Helen Keller’s Address at Mount Airy she states, “Sometime, somewhere, somehow we shall find that which we seek.” This shows that she believes anyone can achieve their goals, they just need a plan of how to do it. Jen Bricker was taught by her parents that if you say you can’t do something, you can’t. Helen Keller was taught a similar theory by her teach, Miss Fuller. She learned that in order to achieve something, you have to believe in yourself.

Helen Keller says, “My thoughts used to beat against my fingertips like birds striving to gain their freedom, until one day Miss Fuller opened wide the prison-door and let them escape.” This statement shows that she just needed someone to tell her she could speak in order to believe it herself. Jen Bricker’s parents filled her with so much positivity that it was hard for her to second guess herself. In the article The Amazing Powers of Jen Bricker by Kristin Lewis, a constant theme is that Jen Bricker never gave up her dream. This is similar to Helen Keller, who never gave up her dream of being able to speak. These two extraordinary women persevered through all the challenges life threw at them.

Helen Keller and Jen Bricker are both great role models for anyone going through a rough time. They both prove that all you need is a positive attitude, perseverance, and a little bit of encouragement to overcome any obstacle.