Harriet Tubman, a prominent American heroine, is often depicted as having vivid dreams or visions, which she believed were a way to communicate with God. Her life story is shrouded in myth and exaggeration, but thanks to the work of Maxwell faculty members and students, the genuine contributions of Tubman’s life are revealed.
Tubman experienced chronic pain from headaches and uncontrollable bouts of seizures, which she herself referred to as “sleeping spells”. Historians now know that Tubman had narcolepsy, which is a condition where her temporal lobe epilepsy could explain her visions and sleeping spells. In 1835, Tubman worked as a field hand and believed she had a powerful spiritual connection with her god. Her owner, Edward Brodess, died a week after she “cursed him”.
Harriet Tubman was a lifelong humanitarian and civil rights activist who brought emancipation to anyone who crossed her path. Her lifework has inspired countless people across generations and geographic locations.
In 1835, Tubman refused to help an overseer stop a runaway slave, but the overseer hit her in the head instead, almost killing her. This blow to the head caused Tubman to have sleeping spells (epilepsy) her entire life.
Tubman’s life was marked by a severe brain injury, which caused dizziness, pain, and hypersomnia throughout her life. She never fully recovered from the blow, which subjected her to spells in which she would fall into a deep sleep. By 1856, Tubman’s capture would have brought her a lifetime of pain, seizures, and narcoleptic spells where she fell asleep without warning.
📹 The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman – Janell Hobson
Take a closer look at the life of escaped slave and American icon Harriet Tubman, who liberated over 700 enslaved people using …
What type of seizures did Harriet Tubman have?
Kate Clifford Larson’s 2004 biography of Thomas Edison, “Bound For The Promised Land”, chronicles Edison’s lifelong epileptic seizures, which he describes as lifelong. At 13 years old, Edison was accidentally hit in the head by a two-pound weight, causing a skull crack. Despite taking months to recover, she suffered from profound visions and dreams, sometimes hearing angels singing or floating above the earth. Despite the lack of medical cures or medication, Edison’s lifelong epileptic seizures were a significant part of his religious life.
What were Harriet’s last word?
Harriet Tubman, a renowned philanthropist, dedicated her final 25 years to her community. After Nelson Davis’ death in 1888, she dedicated her final 25 years to philanthropy. At the age of 91, she died of pneumonia in 1913. In her final words, she referred to John 14:3 in the Bible and stated, “I go away to prepare a place for you, that where I am you also may be”. She was laid to rest in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn. Her legacy remains relevant today, with the United States Mint launching the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program in 2024.
Tubman’s story of taking control of her destiny and forging a path for others is celebrated not only for the hundreds of enslaved she freed but also for those who still look to her story for guidance. Her work and values remain a guiding light for many to continue onward.
What was Harriet’s disability?
Harriet Tubman, a prominent figure in disability history, was a woman with narcolepsy who experienced vivid visions of freedom during her seizures. Her disability is often associated with her religiosity, but her dedication to her faith and chronic pain were equally important in her determination to seek liberation for the enslaved. Historian Deidre Cooper Owens highlighted the importance of Tubman’s disability in her essay “Harriet Tubman’s Disability and Why it Matters”.
Tubman’s journey to freedom was marked by the pain of separation from her family and the cruelty of slavery. She worked in fields with blood and sweat, working tirelessly until she couldn’t see. Despite the confines of enslavement, Tubman sought autonomy and hired herself on her own terms. She explored new geographic areas, such as Dorchester County, Maryland’s marshland environment, which provided unique duties for the enslaved. Tubman’s familiarity with Dorchester County would be key in her journey to freedom.
How much of Harriet is true?
The movie has several minor inaccuracies, including historical accuracy in the scene where John Tubman shows Mr. Brodess the proof of freedom for Minty’s mother, which calls for the freedom of her children. Additionally, there is a controversial inaccuracy in the story when Minty has her spells, which are believed to be messages from God, but in reality, she suffered from “narcolepsy”. Harriet Tubman, however, defines her spells as messages from God.
Middle of the movie, major inaccuracies are introduced, starting with the character Marie Buchanan, who is portrayed as a free black woman who helped Harriet and William during her transition. Marie was involved in helping the underground railroad by providing a place for incoming slaves fleeing to freedom. Unfortunately, she died in the arms of Bigger Long, trying to protect Harriet from being found by her previous slave owner, Gideon.
Another fictional character, Abraham (also known as Bigger Long), is seen as a negative inaccurate character. He is portrayed as a selfish character who turns his back on his people to help white people catch their slaves. This portrayal leaves the general viewer with the impression that slavery had little to do with race but had a lot to do with one’s status within society. Bigger Long establishes the same culpability as a white man by co-operating with Gideon to catch Harriet and other missing slaves.
In conclusion, the movie has several minor inaccuracies, including historical accuracy in the scenes where Minty’s spells are believed to be messages from God, and the portrayal of Bigger Long as a negative character.
Who is the most famous person with epilepsy?
Theodore Roosevelt, a prominent figure with epilepsy, was elected governor of New York in 1898 and later Vice President under President McKinley’s re-election in 1901. His presidency was assumed at age 42 after McKinley’s assassination. James Madison, who experienced an “absence seizure” at age 24, collapsed suddenly at 24 due to epilepsy. These seizures, also known as “petit mal”, are brief and barely noticeable.
Harriet Tubman, a prominent African American woman with epileptic seizures and hypersomnia, was a teenager who suffered a traumatic brain injury from a slave owner’s head injury. Despite her disability, Tubman refused to let her or those around her be enslaved, becoming a prominent leader as an African American, woman, and person with a disability.
What brain damage did Harriet Tubman have?
Harriet Tubman, an American woman who suffered from severe head injuries as an enslaved child, underwent major surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in the late 1890s. She refused anesthesia and instead preferred to bite on a bullet, like soldiers she saw undergoing amputation during the Civil War. Tubman’s story highlights the importance of overcoming adversity and overcoming adversity to achieve success and equality.
Why did Harriet’s dad cover his eyes?
Ben Ross, Tubman’s father, blindfolded himself around his children after they escaped slavery in an attempt to claim that he had not seen them.
What happened to Harriet Tubman at the age of 13?
At 13 years old, Harriet Tubman suffered a traumatic injury that almost killed her, leading to epilepsy for the rest of her life. She married freeman John Tubman in 1844 and changed her name to Harriet. After her enslaver’s death, she escaped alone and found freedom in Pennsylvania. Despite the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, she returned to Maryland’s Eastern shore 13 times. With her intelligence, boldness, faith in God, and wilderness skills, she led 70 people to freedom and provided instructions for 50-60 others. Her bravery earned her the title of the “Moses of her people”.
Did Einstein suffer from epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It has been linked to Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Bud Abbott, Julius Caesar, Socrates, and Napoleon. Present-day individuals with epilepsy include Elton John and Rik Mayall. Many individuals who develop epilepsy in their youth do eventually recover. The condition can affect anyone, and around one in 20 people will experience a seizure at some point in their lives, many of whom will never experience another one. It is important to recognize the potential benefits and risks associated with epilepsy.
Which famous people have ADHD?
U. S. Olympic champion Simone Biles has publicly admitted to having ADHD, a condition she has been suffering since childhood. Biles, who won the all-around Gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, stated that her ADHD and taking medication for it are not ashamed of. This came after Russian hackers leaked confidential World Anti-Doping Agency records showing she had tested positive for Ritalin. USA Gymnastics stated that Biles had permission to take the medication and there was no violation.
Biles’ mother was his champion when he was diagnosed with ADHD at age 9, and she encouraged him to swim, which helped him develop concentration and self-discipline. Biles has 22 Olympic medals, the most of any athlete in history. Some celebrities with ADHD claim the condition has contributed to their success, while others have faced challenges. Grammy-winning singer and actor Justin Timberlake has OCD mixed with ADHD.
How many times was Harriet caught?
Harriet Tubman was a renowned humanitarian who led 13 dangerous missions to free her friends and family from slavery. She was the first woman to lead an armed military raid during the Civil War, and was a Union scout, spy, and nurse. She fought for women’s rights and established a nursing home for African Americans on her property in Auburn, NY. Tubman was devout, interpreting visions and dreams as revelations from God. She was deeply admired by abolitionists in the North and became a trusted friend and advisor.
After the Civil War, she moved to Auburn, NY, where she opened her home as a sanctuary for the elderly, ill, and those with disabilities. Before the Civil War, she was fighting for the rights of women, minorities, disabled, and the aged. She continued to agitate for women’s rights until her death in 1913. Her life was the subject of numerous articles, recollections, and an autobiography.
📹 Harriet Tubman Had That DAWG in HER 🐕
at this point, it’s expected for Ted-Ed to have such amazing animations in their articles..but this one specifically made me feel such strong emotions, especially when they showed a flower withering as Harriet approached the end of her life, before focusing on a new flower starting to bloom after her 🤧 I mean the symbolism is just perfect
She had narcolepsy?! I have narcolepsy! I’m sorry if this is a little silly, but I just get so excited when one of my chronic illnesses is mentioned in media. Disability isn’t well represented in media and my heart swells when someone in a piece of media has the same condition I have. Yes she was a real person and isn’t the same as a fictional character with a disability. The reason I’m surprised is that they didn’t have to mention her disability, but they did. I don’t think I would have ever considered that such an important historical figure would have been disabled because we’re taught to think of such historical figures as almost super human. Even fictional disabled characters who are depicted to have almost super human abilities aren’t viewed as capable individuals. How I ever do anything that matters? I’m disabled. My best hope is to be an independent productive member of society, not someone doing anything important enough to make history. But someone before me did it, so maybe I can too. That’s why I’m excited.
I remember in the second grade I had some required reading and I didn’t want to do it but I had too so I picked a Harriet Tubman book. I had no idea who she was so I was upset that I had to read but I got super interested and ended up loving it. I’m still learning about her and this article was wonderful. Thank you very much!
I want to thank the people who took the time to translate these articles. However, I think a few things could be improved in the Spanish translation. The narrator deliberately uses terms such as “enslaved people” instead of “slaves” and avoids terms such as “master” or “owner” in English. The Spanish subtitles use “esclavo” and “amo”, erasing this very important change of perspective. I understand that we need to make subtitles as short as possible because Spanish is generally longer and we need to respect average reading times, but given the topic of this article, I think changing these terms should be a priority. Also, considering this article is part of a play list that centers its stories around strong women, I think it would be wise to use “traductora” and “revisora” for the women who worked on this project.
I am in awe of this woman’s courage, strength and resilience. She accomplished more in her life than most people could only hope to do in 3 lifetimes or more. Not only did she repeatedly rescue enslaved people and lead them to freedom, but she also serves her country in War. AND she had the foresight and vision to recognize that once freed, the former enslaved people would need rights (voting) and institutions (schools and hospitals) in order to have even the smallest chance of fully benefitting from said freedom. So she didn’t just stop once slavery ended. She went on to advocate for rights and for resources for the formerly enslaved. She is a full embodiment of a visionary and servant leader. One of the greatest Americans to ever have lived. May she rest in peace in heaven with the Lord. Amen.
It’s a shame to see she’s not talked about often instead people like Christopher Columbus are talked about 🙄. I swear when we were learning about slavery, my teacher did not even FOR ONCE mention her.He only talked about Abraham Lincoln. Even tho he did play a major part in abolishing slavery, there were others before him who did bring some change
This was such a good article. It’s crazy how one thing led to another for me to get to this article. I was wondering why certain presidents were the face of money and that lead me to finding an article about Tubman being placed on the $20 to replace Jackson. So I was like hmmm I haven’t been in school for a while and I know Harriet contributed sm, but I didn’t know her story in depth. Anyways, now I feel inspired.
They didn’t mention anything about her religion which was a large part of her life, so I’ll put it below. Harriet Tubman was also known more commonly as Moses among her people, kind of like a code name because she was like Moses who rescued her people from slavery. Also because among all the slaves she guided to safety, she lost none. Many people assumed that Moses was a man, which helped Harriet. Harriet became a Christian after her head injury as a child which they mentioned in the article. Because of the injury, aside from sleeping spells, she also experienced multiple extremely strong visions of God and heaven which led her to believe in God Harriet’s religion was one of the KEY reasons as to why she chose to escape from slavery. She often believed that she received direct messages from God and was very open about it. Whenever asked about her journey she never talked about herself but put God in center and reason. Here’s a direct quote of Harriet when asked how she managed to do what she did. Tubman’s friends and fellow abolitionists claimed that the source of her strength came from her faith in God as deliverer and protector of the weak. “I always tole God,” she said, “‘I’m gwine (going) to hole stiddy on you, an’ you’ve got to see me through.'” Tubman said she would listen carefully to the voice of God as she led slaves north, she would only go where she felt God was leading her. Fellow abolitionist Thomas Garrett said of her, ” I never met with any person, of any color, who had more confidence in the voice of God, as spoken direct to her soul.
When I was in school, I was assigned to a speshel ed program. The company that the school got the materials from for our class did use her story as part of our reading class. The other students didn’t have the same booms,,so they didn’t learn about her until a few years later as a footnote. Which always shocked me because she had always been a profound historical leader in my life. It really sucks that shes not a mainstream historical figure like Susen B Anthony.
What wasn’t mentioned was the strong relationship Harriet had with God, the Father;Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. She was prophetess that often received visions (like the”dream” she had)…but I guess they are trying to keep it pc…smh that’s not truly honoring Mrs. Tubman; who definitely would not tell her story without sharing the impact her faith had on her life. Btw, she was quoting JESUS when she said on her death bed, “I go to prepare a place…”
She did great things and fought for equality for all people. An interesting story I read somewhere was that she carried a gun with her for several reasons, but one of which was if the slaves she was helping escape, wanted to turn back, she would threaten them with it. I don’t know how true this is but it was interesting nonetheless