Final Answer:
Laurent Clerc was born on December 26, 1785, in La Balme-les-Grottes, France. He became deaf at the age of one due to a childhood illness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Laurent Clerc's birth on December 26, 1785, marked the beginning of a life that would significantly impact the education of the deaf. Unfortunately, at the tender age of one, Clerc faced a transformative event that would shape his future—contracting an illness that resulted in deafness.
This early experience profoundly influenced his perspective and ultimately led him to dedicate his life to the education and advocacy for the deaf.
Clerc's deafness did not impede his intellectual pursuits; instead, it fueled his determination to bridge communication gaps for others facing similar challenges.
His journey from a small French village to the United States, where he co-founded the first permanent school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut, alongside Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, highlights his commitment to breaking down barriers. Laurent Clerc's legacy endures through the enduring impact of the American School for the Deaf, a testament to his pioneering efforts in deaf education.
In retrospect, Clerc's deafness can be viewed not as a limitation but as a catalyst that propelled him to champion the rights and education of the deaf community. His life story serves as an inspiration, illustrating how personal challenges can be transformed into opportunities for positive change.
Therefore, Laurent Clerc was born on December 26, 1785, in La Balme-les-Grottes, France. He became deaf at the age of one due to a childhood illness.