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Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law [2020, PDF/EPUB, ENG]

by Haben Girma

(981 ratings)
Book cover


'This autobiography by a millennial Helen Keller teems with grace and grit.' -- O, The Oprah Magazine




'A profoundly important memoir.' -- The Times




** As featured in The Wall Street Journal, People, and on The TODAY Show ** A New York Times 'New & Noteworthy' Pick ** An O Magazine 'Book of the Month' Pick ** A Publishers Weekly Bestseller **





The incredible life story of Haben Girma, the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, and her amazing journey from isolation to the world stage.


Haben grew up spending summers with her family in the enchanting Eritrean city of Asmara. There, she discovered courage as she faced off against a bull she couldn't see, and found in herself an abiding strength as she absorbed her parents' harrowing experiences during Eritrea's thirty-year war with Ethiopia. Their refugee story inspired her to embark on a quest for knowledge, traveling the world in search of the secret to belonging. She explored numerous fascinating places, including Mali, where she helped build a school under the scorching Saharan sun. Her many adventures over the years range from the hair-raising to the hilarious.

Haben defines disability as an opportunity for innovation. She learned non-visual techniques for everything from dancing salsa to handling an electric saw. She developed a text-to-braille communication system that created an exciting new way to connect with people. Haben pioneered her way through obstacles, graduated from Harvard Law, and now uses her talents to advocate for people with disabilities.

Haben takes readers through a thrilling game of blind hide-and-seek in Louisiana, a treacherous climb up an iceberg in Alaska, and a magical moment with President Obama at The White House. Warm, funny, thoughtful, and uplifting, this captivating memoir is a testament to one woman's determination to find the keys to connection.
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Book details


  • Author : Haben Girma
  • Publisher : Twelve
  • Published : 08-10-2020
  • Language : English
  • Pages : 288
  • ISBN-10 : 1538728737
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1538728734
  • Reader Reviews : 981 (4.7)
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About the Author


Haben Girma


Haben Girma advocates for equal opportunities for people with disabilities. President Obama named her a White House Champion of Change. She received the Helen Keller Achievement Award, and a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel have all honored Haben. Her work has been featured in the Financial Times, BBC, Washington Post, NPR, and more.

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Reader Reviews

J
C. Wong
Learn From Haben!
Reviewed in the United States on 02-14-2023
Wow! I learned a lot from Haben Girma! I did not know why I felt kicked the stomach when someone told me that I was 'Inspiring'. Read her book and learn about Abelism.

The first part of her book, Haben Girma introduces herself. Instead of what most of us, she sees splashes of color. To me, that was very reassuring as I have glacoma and have always known, color is what I would miss the most if I lost my sight. She has a very limited range of sound frequencies. A few high frequency sounds and she described the low frequency are like hearing a washing machine. Intelligent and with a robust sense of humor as shown about stories of her family life.

To prove to her parents that she could take care of herself and not be dependent on them, she went to Mali as a volunteer to help build a school for children. You will learn how one teacher thought she was failing a course when it was really not knowing the details of the assignments. If you are a hearing and a seeing person, you do not realize what actually gets through. Yes, you hear sounds but without clarity. How make that clarity? Break down the barriers! Use technology! You can do it. And a lot of boundaries are from people. Let them know what is not working and find a way to break through!

I loved this book. Haben Girma understands so much. I hope that she continues to write and to fight for disability rights through the Courts, especially making Wow! I learned a lot from Haben Girma! I did not know why I felt kicked the stomach when someone told me that I was 'Inspiring'. Read her book and learn about Abelism.

The first part of her book, Haben Girma introduces herself. Instead of what most of us, she sees splashes of color. To me, that was very reassuring as I have glacoma and have always known, color is what I would miss the most if I lost my sight. She has a very limited range of sound frequencies. A few high frequency sounds and she described the low frequency are like hearing a washing machine. Intelligent and with a robust sense of humor as shown about stories of her family life.

To prove to her parents that she could take care of herself and not be dependent on them, she went to Mali as a volunteer to help build a school for children. You will learn how one teacher thought she was failing a course when it was really not knowing the details of the assignments. If you are a hearing and a seeing person, you do not realize what actually gets through. Yes, you hear sounds but without clarity. How make that clarity? Break down the barriers! Use technology! You can do it. And a lot of boundaries are from people. Let them know what is not working and find a way to break through!

I loved this book. Haben Girma understands so much. I hope that she continues to write and to fight for disability rights through the Courts, especially making it sure that everyone is included in the conversation..
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J
Ms. Kirsty L. Collins
A groundbreaking book on the deaf-blind lived experience
Reviewed in the United States on 09-10-2022
This is a book about the amazing journey of a tenacious, intelligent, deaf-blind young woman. It's also an example of what could be possible if every disabled person had the support they needed to thrive. We live in a time when only 2 percent of deaf people worldwide have access to sign language. And where only 1 percent of blind people have access to braille. We need disabled literacy to participate in the world.

Haben’s self-belief and achievements are remarkable. She is a shining light in the darkness. As we are mired in a world where leaders are more interested in profits and populism than innovation and compassion.
Haben uses every advantage of her incredible success to make the world a better place for every disabled person. I would love to see more non-disabled people taking up her cause so that we could get more done.
The systematic ableism of modern society must end. It robs disabled children of a voice. Thank you, Haben, for writing this book and being who you are. You give me hope for the future..
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J
William
Haben is a wonder! She is a brilliant compassionate woman with an amazing life story to tell.
Reviewed in the United States on 05-09-2023
I had a chance to attend a speaking engagement where Haben was the guest speaker. Everyone should have a chance to engage with this fabulous and brilliant woman. Recommend her book as an amazing experience!.
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