How did Alexander Graham Bell prove to be an ideal companion to Helen in The Story of My Life?

As well as being the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell also achieved considerable renown as an educator of the deaf. His own wife was deaf, and so he had a deep understanding of the enormous challenges faced by deaf people, especially in relation to education. In fact, education was the motivating factor in the decision of Helen's parents to seek out Bell. They knew that Helen's educational needs simply weren't being met, so they went with Helen to visit Bell as they were sure that only he could be of help.
The first meeting between Helen and Alexander Graham Bell was a huge success. Helen immediately established a rapport with Bell, sitting on his lap and feeling safe and secure in his presence. Bell allowed Helen to play with his pocket watch; she was fascinated to feel its vibrations. Even at their first meeting, Bell had already opened up a whole new world for Helen. But most important of all, Helen felt right from the start that Bell understood her. And for her to be understood by an adult was a whole new experience for her at that time. It is not surprising then that Helen Keller and Alexander Graham Bell went on to form such an enduring friendship.

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