Tilling the Hard Soil: Poetry, Prose and Art by South African Writers with Disabilities

Tilling the Hard Soil takes readers on a journey out of their comfort zones and into the lives of ordinary people living with extraordinary challenges. These are people with disabilities who hail from a wide diversity of backgrounds and life experiences. Some were born disabled; some became disabled in later life. All of them share one desire: to be recognized as human beings first and disabled people second. In this frank, provocative, humorous, and moving collection, they give voice to their difference in a variety of creative ways. Their stories, poetry, and art will challenge various perceptions of disability and will point to the complex workings of our human community. This is a collection that dares to dream, not of standing out, but of being the same. The contributors to Tilling the Hard Soil have agreed that all royalties from this book will be donated to the Open Air School, in Durban, South Africa, to further its sterling work with disabled learners, many of whom are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite the extreme challenges that the majority of these children face, the supportive environment and dedicated staff of the Open Air School enables them to reach their full potential in every way. See more