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Haben : the deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law
2019
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Documents the incredible story of the first deaf and blind graduate of Harvard Law School, tracing her refugee parents’ harrowing experiences in the Eritrea-Ethiopian war and her development of innovations that enabled her remarkable achievements. 40,000 first printing. - (Baker & Taylor)

Documents the story of the first deaf and blind graduate of Harvard Law School, tracing her refugee parents' harrowing experiences in the Eritrea-Ethiopian war and her development of innovations that enabled her remarkable achievements. - (Baker & Taylor)

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.

"This autobiography by a millennial Helen Keller teems with grace and grit." -- O 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 **
- (Grand Central Pub)

Author Biography

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. - (Grand Central Pub)

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Table of Contents

Introduction 1(2)
Chapter One When They Took My Father
3(4)
Chapter Two The Expeditions Begin
7(8)
Chapter Three War
15(14)
Chapter Four Gender and a Load of Bull
29(10)
Chapter Five Key by Key
39(10)
Chapter Six Dancing in Enchanted Hills
49(12)
Chapter Seven Dishing Up Trouble
61(14)
Chapter Eight Water Fights in the Desert
75(7)
Chapter Nine Lost in the African Night
82(10)
Chapter Ten Guarding a Secret from the Village
92(7)
Chapter Eleven The Latrine
99(7)
Chapter Twelve Untangling Love and Control
106(5)
Chapter Thirteen The Chapter My Parents Shouldn't Read
111(9)
Chapter Fourteen Play Like No One's Watching
120(7)
Chapter Fifteen A Positive Blindness Philosophy
127(3)
Chapter Sixteen I Don't Believe Fairy Tales, Except This One
130(18)
Chapter Seventeen Ableism and the Art of Blind PB&J
148(3)
Chapter Eighteen Never, Ever, Run from a Bear
151(16)
Chapter Nineteen Alaska Gives Me the Cold, Harsh Truth
167(5)
Chapter Twenty The Little Dog That Makes Earthquakes
172(18)
Chapter Twenty-One Love Is Following Me up an Iceberg
190(7)
Chapter Twenty-Two The First Deafblind Student at Harvard Law School
197(29)
Chapter Twenty-Three Kicking Butt, Legally Speaking
226(14)
Chapter Twenty-Four The White House ADA Celebration
240(20)
Epilogue 260(5)
A Brief Guide to Increasing Access for People with Disabilities 265(8)
About the Author 273(2)
Acknowledgments 275

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