In order to identify a true outlier, we need to know what an outlier exactly is.
According to Malcom Gladwell: “Outlier” is a scientific term to describe things or phenomena that lie outside normal experience.
An outlier is basically someone who uses their practical, creative, and analytical thinking to succeed in life. Many people think that you must be the subject of concerted cultivation and parentage & patronage in order to be a true outlier. But, Anne Sullivan's story proves them wrong.
Anne Sullivan is someone who I find to be a true outlier. She was born in 1866 to Thomas & Alice. Both of her parents were supposedly illiterate and poor. She also had a younger brother named James. Her family immigrated from Ireland so their new life in America was difficult. 5 years into her life, in 1871, she developed trachoma. Neither her, nor her parents took serious action regarding this problem especially since they felt they were poor and couldn't do much. 3 years later, in 1874, her mother became a victim of death due to tuberculosis. This caused much more difficulties in Anne's live because a mother is the most responsible part of any family, usually. Therefore, this death caused Thomas, her father, to leave his children since he felt he couldn't bare such a huge responsibility. This forced Anne to use the opportunity of her being an orphan to experience responsibility over her brother.
So, as a child, Anne was never really got much attention from her parents. She never really experienced much parentage and patronage. Later, her and her brother went to a house for the poor and she lived there for 7 years. This required practical intelligence since she was required to adapt to new customs,, rules, values, people, etc. Unfortunately, her brother died in the early months of their arrival. So, she was all by herself from then on. This was when it hit her that there was no one to help her. She, herself has to work hard to bring herself to a good point. She should be very appreciated since she continued past all of these difficulties.
She underwent an eye surgery which temporarily improved her eyes. But later on, she still went back to normal and became completely blind. She joined the Perkins Institute. Although she was illiterate and didn't know most of the obvious things of the time, she knew many other things. She knew a lot about politics and the society. Unfortunately, many of her teachers were ignorant, unsympathetic, and impatient of her. Despite all of that, she was still determined to continue her education. She even became the valedictorian of her class and graduated in 1880. To achieve this, she used analytical intelligence.
Then, she was hired to help Helen Keller. She used her creative intelligence her to help Keller learn. She used her experiences to help Helen. She traced the letters on Keller's hand to help her understand. She came up with creative ideas to help Helen but never gave up. Many believe that Helen Keller was a true hero. I am not saying that's wrong because I believe that too. But, I think that you should go a step back and find out who was the person behind Keller's success. That would be none other than Anne Sullivan. She kept up with Helen's frustration, tantrums, and anger issues. She was determined to help Helen and she did so.
Basically, my point is that Anne Sullivan had so many disadvantages growing up as a child. But, she brushed them aside and focused on her beliefs and she definitely made the most out of every small opportunity she got and made her life worth it. That is what made her a true, successful outlier.
So, as a child, Anne was never really got much attention from her parents. She never really experienced much parentage and patronage. Later, her and her brother went to a house for the poor and she lived there for 7 years. This required practical intelligence since she was required to adapt to new customs,, rules, values, people, etc. Unfortunately, her brother died in the early months of their arrival. So, she was all by herself from then on. This was when it hit her that there was no one to help her. She, herself has to work hard to bring herself to a good point. She should be very appreciated since she continued past all of these difficulties.
She underwent an eye surgery which temporarily improved her eyes. But later on, she still went back to normal and became completely blind. She joined the Perkins Institute. Although she was illiterate and didn't know most of the obvious things of the time, she knew many other things. She knew a lot about politics and the society. Unfortunately, many of her teachers were ignorant, unsympathetic, and impatient of her. Despite all of that, she was still determined to continue her education. She even became the valedictorian of her class and graduated in 1880. To achieve this, she used analytical intelligence.
Then, she was hired to help Helen Keller. She used her creative intelligence her to help Keller learn. She used her experiences to help Helen. She traced the letters on Keller's hand to help her understand. She came up with creative ideas to help Helen but never gave up. Many believe that Helen Keller was a true hero. I am not saying that's wrong because I believe that too. But, I think that you should go a step back and find out who was the person behind Keller's success. That would be none other than Anne Sullivan. She kept up with Helen's frustration, tantrums, and anger issues. She was determined to help Helen and she did so.
Basically, my point is that Anne Sullivan had so many disadvantages growing up as a child. But, she brushed them aside and focused on her beliefs and she definitely made the most out of every small opportunity she got and made her life worth it. That is what made her a true, successful outlier.
