Out of the Box by Trish Harris

This thoughtful collection of real-life stories highlights the achievements, creativity and passion of 25 Deaf and disabled artists, activists, and adventurers from throughout Aotearoa. They’re a diverse group of people who have made a positive impact locally, nationally, and sometimes internationally too. They include Paralympians, sailors, skiers, musicians, dancers, university graduates, comedians, long-distance hikers, a knight, filmmakers, parents and grandparents.

The title Out of the Box was sparked by a quote from former Member of Parliament Mojo Mathers, who is Deaf.

Deaf or disabled people get put in a box. It’s frustrating, it’s tiring and it’s boring. I want that box to be broken open! Mojo Mathers

Author Trish Harris is a writer, creative writing tutor and disability advocate who is passionate about sharing the perspectives of Deaf and disabled people. She shares some of her own disability story in the book’s introduction. While working on Out of the Box, Harris consulted with Deaf and disabled people to hear about their experiences, as well as gathering information from many different sources.

Harris's writing is clear and engaging. Each story starts in a way that will make you want to read on.

If there was a film about Jared Flitcroft’s life, it’d start like this: Scene One: Blood and guts splatter. People scream, zombies snarl. People flee.

Chanelle [Moriah] is speaking to an interviewer about their award-winning book, I Am Autistic. ‘I’m autistic, not broken,’ Chanelle says. It’s a powerful statement.

If Patrick [Wikiriwhi Thompson] was telling this story, you’d see it – his hands and arms moving swiftly, new expressions flicking across his face.

And every story is interesting, not just because of what each individual has achieved but also because of their impact on other people’s lives too. For example, Don McKenzie, who is a blind disability leader, helped to introduce guide dogs to Aotearoa. He made sure businesses understood that guide dogs are working dogs that should be allowed on public transport and in other public places. Gary Williams, Ngāti Porou, has cerebral palsy. Gary worked with others in the disability community to influence the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Information boxes on some pages provide extra facts, explain words, or translate te reo Māori terms into English. Brief summaries of the charity, medical, and social models of disability provide three different perspectives. Harris prompts us to consider who has the power within each model.

Harris points out that improvements made for disabled people often benefit others as well. Alison Riseborough, for example, was a wheelchair user who campaigned for accessible buses. Front‑lowering buses and bus ramps now make public transport more accessible not only for wheelchair users, but also for older adults and people with strollers.

Making things accessible means everyone can fairly participate in society and community life.

Although the stories focus on achievements, Harris covers the tough parts too. She describes some of the barriers created by the ‘disabling world’ as ‘unnecessary mountains’ that can be flattened. Perseverance – and sometimes defiance – are needed to effect change, whether as part of a collective or as an individual.

We thought asking for change would be easy – it wasn’t. But it gave me energy to join with others and work on this. Sometimes you have to be disruptive. Alison Riseborough

Even though someone in a wheelchair needs different things than someone who is, say, blind, if we work together we have more power to make important changes that will help everyone. Don McKenzie

I’ve always been a rebel … My parents gave me this image of myself that was quite different from the stereotype that society had of me – so I was always pushing against what was expected. Pip Patston

Adaptability and resilience matter too.

The stories of people with mental illness are full of discovery – mental distress changes us and we learn things about ourselves – we keep learning. Julie Leibrich

With adaptive snow sports we keep testing our limits and our limits keep expanding. Adam Hall

Each chapter has illustrations of the person whose story is shared. Some images include adaptive equipment or technology, such as outrigger ski poles or a communication device. There are images of Deaf people signing, simulated Braille, and sports such as wheelchair rugby, discus hurling, and swimming. (Look out for Harris’s image on the inside back cover.)

The book concludes with a thorough outline of Deaf and disability history in Aotearoa. Harris says this is a long and complicated story ‘shaped by laws and events, and through protest and change and celebration’.

She refers to early stories and legends from te ao Māori, some of which are believed to feature disabled people. She explains that during the decades when settlers first entered Aotearoa, Deaf and disabled people were increasingly kept apart from others, often in institutions, due to misguided beliefs that they might cause harm. She describes the growth of the eugenics movement and the dominance of European/Western ideas about health and medicine, which differed from Māori beliefs and practices. Over time, epidemics as well as war injuries contributed to an increase in the number of Deaf and disabled people living in Aotearoa.

A detailed timeline covers key events in disability history decade by decade, and sometimes year by year, from the 1840s up until 2026. It includes information about committees of inquiry, legal requirements and government commitments, the growth of media focused on news and events of interest to disabled people, and the setting up of support organisations and associations. Images of the individuals introduced in the first part of the book appear on the timeline. There’s a reference list at the back for readers who want to learn more.

Out of the Box is an insightful and informative book that celebrates achievement, resilience, and ‘audacious plans’ – and the power that individuals and groups have to influence change. It’s aimed at readers aged 12 and upwards.

                Cut up your knowledge and share it with others.

                Know when to lead and when to follow.

… Remember, together we are stronger.

Together we can cook up a storm.

Sir Robert Martin

Reviewer: Anne Kerslake Hendricks

Otago University Press