DIDYMUS-THE-BLIND - AN UNKNOWN PRECURSOR OF BRAILLE,LOUIS AND KELLER,HELEN

The present study presents the case of Didymus the Blind, worthy autho r, philosopher and theologian of the 4th century AD. Blinded by ophtha lmia at the age of four years, Didymus succeeded in achieving great le arning in the philosophical and natural sciences. He began his educati on by using a system which was remarkably like Braille, that is readin g letters engraved into the surface of wood by touch and subsequently furthering his knowledge by listening. This learning process of Didymu s the Blind appears as the precursor of Louis Braille who invented the educational system of reading embossed dots gy touch. Like Didymus, B raille lost his vision in infancy (at three years of age). Another par allel of Didymus' career and written works is found in the example and achievements of Helen Keller.