The Washington times., 1908-01-16
NURSE FOR BLIND
MAY LOSE SIGHT,
PHYSICIANS SAY
Helen Keller S Guide Is
Threatened With Cata-
ract on Eye.

NEW YORK, Jan. 16.-Aftsr acting for
more tlan twenty years as preceptor
and companion 10 Helen Keller, the ia
nous deaf. dumb and blind girl whose
accomplishments in spite Of her affic-
tions have astOuished tne world, Mrs
John Albert Macy, who was Anne
Mansfield Sullivan. IS herself losing har
sight
Friends Of both women in this city
have received that information from
Wrentham. Mass. where they live to-
gether. II IS said the specific trouble
with Mrs. Macy IS a traumaUc cataract
which may result in blindness.
Although no serious result is immcdi-
ately apprehended, her condition is
serious because Of her years, which
number nearly fifty. and at that period
of life a long standing affection Of the
sight does not readily yield TO treat
ment
Not Regarded as Serious.
DIT. Enoch Henry Currier, head Of the
New York Institute for the Deaf ard
Dumb, who has been long acquainted
with both Mrs. Macy and Miss Keller.
SAID he had heard Of the formers con-
dition, but hoped it was not so serious
as had been reported.
Touching to degree has been the
long friendship between the two afhict-
ed women. Until Helen Keller was
seven years cid she sat in darkness and
silence. Their Miss Sullivan, as she was.
mastered a means of communication
and began to educate her For uesrly
twenty years she was GevOtedly at
taChed to her famous pupil and ii was
largely through her faithful teaching
that Miss Keller received the degree Of
A b. from Radcliffe College in 1904
Miss Keller's proficiency in English
and her literary talents attracted the
attention of John Albert Macy. an 81
strucIOr in English In Harvard Uui-
YeTsity. He became very much inter.
ested in her education. and consequently
formed a close friendship with tif5
teacher whose personality had been
transferred 70 her wonderful pupil. AT
one time gossip had il that he was en-
gagged to Miss Keller, but the announce
ment that he and Miss Sullivan were
to be married put an end 10 that kind OF
speculation.
Wedding in 1905.
It was in May. 1905, that the wedding
took place in Miss Keller's home. The
ceremony was performed by the Rev
LII. EuHdtu ENCltLL maze III the pres
ence Of a few intimate friends, includ-
ing Prof. Smith, of Harvard, and Mrs
Smith. The blind girl stood at the side
of the bride, and Mrs. Smith made use
of the touch language to make known
to her all that was taking place, even
repeating the words of DR.. Hale. After
the marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Macy went
to Europe. and upon their return made
their home with Miss Keller, in
Wrentham.
Mr.. Macy was a graduate Of the class
Of 1889 of Harvard. and has been con-
spicuous for his literary attainments
He is one Of the editors of the Youth S
Companion, and ne wrote the introduc-
ton TO Miss Keller's book, The Story
Of My Life
Commenting upon the melancholy CO.
Incidence that Mrs. Macy should be
visite with blindnes after so long serv-
ing as a teacher arc helpmate to one
similarly unfortunate DR.. Currier said
yesterday that 1t had no scientific sig
niflcance. He had known cases, how
ever. where instructors OF the deaf and
dumb whose hearing was originally nor
nal had gradually lost it through con-
slant association and the lack Of proper
speech sounds.