Young people have special “antennas” in picking up situations, opportunities and encounters from which they can draw lessons and inspirational models. And extraordinary were, in intercepting, the students of the Council of class leaders of the “Assisi 2” Comprehensive Institute led by the Headmaster Dr. Chiara Grassi, who, coordinated by the teachers Marco Mirti and Irene Bratti, proposed and collaborated on the presentation of the book “The courage of those who have lost. The story and dreams of a visionary madman” by Franco Chianelli. The introduction of the text took place in the evocative “Conciliation Room” of the municipality on Saturday 20 April.
After the greetings of the mayor Stefania Proietti who underlined that what the sign has achieved in his life. Chianelli was honored by the presence of the President of the Italian Republic, followed by the introduction of the Principal who, with a particular focus on young people, highlighted the fact that the author and his wife are the living demonstration that dreams can be realized by pursuing tenacity, strength, determination together with sacrifice and commitment. The Manager highlights that she was very struck by their example of love and altruism, married for 47 years they still exude the values of family, hospitality and warmth and in a society in which children are not used to living and facing pain because the world of adults tries to hide it from them, the example of Mr and Mrs Chianelli is a testimony that even dramatic events can be experienced and transformed into gifts. Finally, the quotation of a phrase, present in the book, by Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti “Holiness is a true story and reading this life is reality” launched the intervention of the sign. Chianelli.
The dark lenses of the glasses that seemed to hide a serious and serious face, the elegant dress that framed an austere and at times solemn bearing, were swept away the moment the author began to speak. His ringing voice accompanied a bright smile that never stopped for the entire duration of the operation. Franco Chianelli is a very well-known man as President of the “Daniele Chianelli” Committee, and together with his wife, Mrs. Luciana Cardinali, founder of the same, they experienced an ordeal and unspeakable pain in losing their son due to leukemia, a disease , which years ago, showed a more fearsome aspect due to the scarcity or in any case the limited nature of scientific information and treatments in facing this battle and the absence of structures capable of supporting patients and their families.
“There are things in life that we choose, others that happen and we can’t help but face; what matters is how we do it and who accompanies us along the way.” This incipit crowns the content of the book and is the common thread that directed the existence of the two spouses. They could both be destroyed by the drama that presented itself as a storm, whose violent gusts would have annihilated any strength and broken any will to react. But in this whirlwind, the Chianellis raised their heads and little by little transformed the loss into an instrument of love and thus acquired a new meaning to their lives. How? They have carried out a patient and constant sowing of courage, supporting medical research and pharmacological therapies, performing an astonishing miracle: they built a residence next to the “Santa Maria della Misericordia” hospital in Perugia, which hosts many families in difficulty. Furthermore, every year their committee promotes countless solidarity and aid initiatives. And now, this book, an autobiography that is certainly not easy, because “getting naked” means exposing one’s wounds once again and giving voice to what is humanly unbearable is a process that never ends.
During the evening, pupils from the primary and secondary schools of the “Assisi 2” Institute took part and read some extracts from Franco Chianelli’s biography and excerpts taken from the sections “Testimonies from patients and family members”, “Testimonies from pediatric oncomatology and institutions”. This was also alternated with reflections and musical interludes which enhanced the atmosphere by framing it with emotions. Finally, a fruitful interaction between the host couple and the students who asked questions such as: “Have you encountered obstacles in the realization of your projects”; “Many… but with strength and obstinacy we overcame them; “Sign. What responsibility does Chianelli feel?”, “Great responsibility but also great happiness: the Perugia hospital is an excellence, we were the first in the world to have carried out the transplant from parents to children which today is a guarantee of recovery… furthermore we have the school within the structure and many activities are carried out such as music therapy and art therapy”. Even very difficult questions have arisen such as “What do you do with those kids who no longer have the hope of surviving?”, “Sometimes it is necessary to tell lies, to make people believe that hope is the last to die… among other things it’s really like this, hope must always be present… in short, smile and always lend a hand even when you have death in your heart.” “He still has some projects sign. Chianelli?”… “Yes, I would like to create a garden on the top floor of the hospital so that patients, forced to live in a room every day, can experience the sensation of living in a forest”.
The author gave a precious testimony to all those present and in particular to the young people, who saw in him a singular and propulsive force to be taken as a model. Pain in life can surprise and crush us, but it is up to each of us to find the inner “courage” to react and make it a means of growth. “The courage of having lost” can and must be turned into “courage that leads to winning”. Young people have well understood the importance of the message: to turn suffering into opportunities, reverse the direction of travel and follow those “lighthouses”, who, like the Chianellis before us, have traced the coordinates to be able to navigate the seas moved by our existence.
Prof. Milva Nucciarelli
Tags: Success presentation Franco Chianellis book organized council class leaders Assisi
