In her book, Full
Circle, Durban author Vera Alexander has drawn
inspiration from “the wonderful work done by many who work with people with This Ability and from the people
themselves who have fought for acceptance”.
Many years ago Alexander’s dance
group "adopted" Cheshire Homes and were privileged to meet and become
friends with many of the residents. Their understanding of the problems they
had to fight in order to gain acceptance into society grew as they socialised
with them.
“I was privileged to teach at the
Open Air School in Durban for a short stint as a locum,” explains Alexander. “I
was feeling bruised and battered by an experience in a main stream school. The
children welcomed me with open arms. Their ready acceptance and joy for
education helped heal my battered teacher's psyche. I salute them for their
abilities to achieve regardless of major physical problems. In four short weeks
they crept into my soul.”
In her review of Full
Circle, Manuela Cardiga author of Guilty
Pleasures, states the following:
“Bandile was a boy like any other boy. He
loved soccer, TV, music and dancing. Most of all Bandile wanted to dance, and
then one moment in one carefree day something happened and all his dreams were
swept away. He had to learn that with courage and a little help from friends
and family he could dance the true dance of life. Vera Alexander has gifted us
with a story of perseverance and courage all wrapped up in a stubborn joyous
optimism, uncluttered by cheap sentimentality.
This is the story of one boy’s life – Full
Circle – from a devastating loss to his recovery taking back his life and his
dreams; and Alexander writes it with the impassioned and unpretentious
simplicity of a true story teller. Alexander has captured the African culture,
its very tone and cadence and attitude with great tenderness and admiration. I
love this book!”
Full Circle was launched
at Exclusive Books at the end of November and was available at the ICC under
the banner of the Arts and Culture Libraries Conference at that time.
All Vera Alexander’s books are available as e-books on
Amazon, including Full Circle which
is published by umSinsi Press 2013. ISBN 978-1-4309-0669-8. For more
information visit www.umsinsi.com
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