Eli Whitney

Speaking for the Unspeakable Eli Whitney

When Eli Whitney turned 13, a special special education teacher taught him how to use facilitated communication to spell words. Eli, born mute and with little control of his muscles, began relaying thoughtful poems on family, politics, and life as an adult. His mother, the poet Louise Grassi Whitney, transcribed the words from a spelling board to handwriting. Eli Whitney is now in his late 30s and living in a group home in San Rafael, California. Library of Congress Control Number: 2019942029