lic to help him make the best of himself so that he can win light through work.”


Helen herself certainly did this. While still at college, she wrote ‘The


Story of My Life’, both in braille and on a standard typewriter. It was published in 1903 and became a classic. She went onto publish many more books, and various films and documentaries brought Helen’s life, and the way it was turned round, to public attention. Even towards the end of her life – she died in 1968 – her fame grew;


a TV play, The Miracle Worker, evolved into a successful Broadway production in 1959 and a film in 1962. It was remade for television in 1979 and 2000. But Helen’s life was about much more. She joined the Socialist Party of Massachusetts in 1909 and afterwards became a vociferous sup- porter of socialist causes. Her essays, Out of the Dark, published in 1913, got a lot of attention simply because she was who she was. She used her fame to stand-up for those who needed help, and her actions brought causes to the notice of those who mattered. A suffragist, a pacifist and strong supporter of workers’ rights, Helen also used her life to raise money for the American Foundation for the Blind. From 1909 she and Anne Sullivan toured the world to tell her story and invite support, first with lectures and later with a light-hearted vaudeville show. As the RNIB has it: “She not only collected money, but also cam- paigned tirelessly to alleviate the living and working conditions of blind people, who at that time were usually badly educated and living in asy- lums. Her endeavours were a major factor in changing these conditions.”


Prejudice Helen also fought against the prejudice she encountered as a deaf-


blind person. Her socialist views weren’t appreciated by all, and she was especially angry when the editor of the Brooklyn Eagle, previ- ously full of praise for Helen, now used her disabilities to dismiss her, saying that her mistakes ‘sprung out of the manifest limitations of her development’. She responded: ‘Now that I have come out for social- ism he reminds me and the public that I am blind and deaf and espe- cially liable to error. I must have shrunk in intelligence during the years since I met him. It’s ironic that a woman who could barely speak should prove to


have such a loud voice for the people she championed. Her voice con- tinues to echo today. Deafblind UK states: ‘We will champion the rights and interests of all people who are deafblind or have a combined sight and hearing loss and will deliver quality services to support individu- als to have autonomy and control over their lives.’ One of these ser- vices is their Information & Advice Line, providing free practical and emotional support. ‘Since 1997, we have responded to over 132,000 calls from deafblind people in need. Without this vital lifeline, a deaf- blind person could find themselves cut off from the outside world.’ It’s this isolation that poses the biggest threat to deaf-blind people


in the Western world today. The blog on charity Sense’s website poignantly raises the issue of how important social contact is for deaf-blind people, and how the lack of it leads to mental health prob- lems such as depression. Bloggers point to how the UK government has traditionally put money into practical care, like dressing and feed- ing, which, while obviously important, is only half the story. Deafblind people, like all others, need social contact, and that means specialist communicators – modern-day Anne Sullivans – and of course the money to finance them.


dance movement therapy centre Tel: Kate 0117 953 2055


Touching Lives with Dance Movement and the Therapeutic Process Quality training at the home of Dance Movement Psychotherapy in the South West – Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5HX.


6 day Introduction to Dance Movement Psychotherapy 1st-6th August 2011


BTEC National Certificate 1 year part time courses (Edexcel Award)


Masters Programme 3 year validated by Canterbury Christ Church University


Email: admin@dancevoice.org.uk Website: www.dancevoice.org.uk


Currently interviewing for September 2011 40 actionetwork www.artsed.co.uk


book now at WWW.ARTSED.CO.UK


P


A SHINING THE DANC


rima ballerina Doreen Wells, former star of the Royal Ballet, has long delighted dance lovers all over the world with her brilliant performances in ballet, musical theatre and on


television. Now in her early seventies and as slender, supple and positive as


ever, this dedicated artiste who has danced all the major classical roles certainly has no intention of hanging up her ballet shoes and liv- ing quietly in retirement. On the contrary, these days she is regarded as a doyenne of the dance world and is busier than ever!


As well as giving dance master classes and passing on her exper- tise through teaching and coaching on a one to one basis to up and coming young artists, she is honorary chairman of the London Children’s Ballet, patron and fundraiser for the Purcell School of Music and patron of a number of ballet organisations. These include the BBO (British Ballet Organisation), the ISTD


Julie Richards-Williams talks to Doreen Wells about her long and varied career, her passion for dance and her plans for the future


SUmmer holiday courses 18th July - 5th August


we have something for all ages courses run for 1 or 2 weeks


Adult 16+


audition technique (acting or musical theatre) west end week actor’s school musical theatre school


Young People Once Upon a time (4-6yrs) Create a musical in a week (7-13yrs) Create a play in a week (7-13yrs) Dance Combination week (7-13yrs) Youth Actor’s school (12-16yrs) youth musical theatre school (12-16yrs) musical theatre company (10-16yrs)


ARTS EDUCATIONAL SCHOOLS LONDON


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