Marie Heurtin was born in 1885 in a small French town. She was both blind and deaf from birth and was unable to communicate with the world around her. Her parents, who were poor farmers, were unable to take care of her and decided to send her away to an asylum run by the Sisters of Charity.
At the asylum, Marie was initially treated harshly and was kept in isolation. However, Sister Marguerette, a young and compassionate nun, took an interest in her and decided to help her. She saw something special in Marie and was determined to teach her how to communicate.
Sister Marguerette began by teaching Marie how to touch and feel different objects. She would hold a rose near her and guide her hand towards it so that Marie could feel the petals, the stem, and the thorns. Over time, Marie began to make the connection between the feel of the object and its name.
Sister Marguerette then taught Marie how to communicate using sign language. She would take her hand and sign different words and phrases, slowly and patiently, until Marie could understand and replicate them. It was a slow process, but eventually, Marie began to understand that she could express herself using sign language.
Marie's progress was slow, but steady. She was able to learn how to read and write braille, and eventually, she was able to communicate with the outside world. She even began to develop her own personality, becoming more independent and stubborn as she grew older.
The story of Marie's journey from isolation to communication is a heartwarming tale of perseverance and compassion. It shows how a simple act of kindness and patience can make a huge difference in someone's life, no matter what their challenges may be.
