New Book Celebrates Disabled New Zealanders

Trish Harris’s new book, Out of the Box, profiles 25 Deaf and disabled New Zealanders who have overcome obstacles and excelled as artists, activists, and adventurers. The book shares the stories of individuals like Rodney Bell, a dancer who uses his wheelchair as an integral part of his performances, and Maia Marshall-Amai, a wheelchair rugby player who persevered through significant health challenges to compete on the international stage.

The book also includes a timeline detailing Deaf and disability milestones in Aotearoa New Zealand, beginning in the 1840s and extending to 2026, including the government’s recent reversal of cuts to disability support services. Harris hopes the book, designed for young adult readers, will inspire a new generation and challenge mainstream perceptions of disability.

The profiles detail not just achievement but the personal struggles and resilience of these individuals. The book is intended to be a celebration of lived experience and a contribution to Deaf and disability literature.