This book is the collected stories of some ordinary people leading everyday lives. Most of those who told their stories belong to the community of the 'one in five' New Zealanders who experience disability. The others are caring for family members with impairments.

Photographs of the story-tellers, often with families and friends or engaged in favourite activities, are included. Some have chosen to tell their story anonymously.

Notes in the 'Gathering these stories' section indicate the rather random process used to select the story-tellers. Many more everyday New Zealanders could have added to the collection of stories that describe what it is like to live in New Zealand in 2005 with the added dimension of managing their experience of disability.

Everyday Courage

I think of the courage of everyday people.
They wear no medals.
Other people's triumphs are not for them.
Each day may be a battle, an achievement.
They fill the air with laughter.
Their weeping is hidden deep, not seen by others.
Theirs is the courage of quietude, of outward calm.
Each day achieved is their reward, accepting themselves as ordinary people.

By Pippa Coulston.