The Diocesan Library of Ortona yesterday hosted the presentation of a touching and inspiring book: The tin helicopter. Written by Andrea Stucchi And Antonella Frixa and published by Carabba, the book tells the story of Andrea who faced difficult moments in life, marked by drug addiction, who then found support and hope through crucial meetings and recovery paths. One of the decisive meetings was the one with Don Gigi GiovannoniSalesian of Don Bosco, a point of reference in the recovery community for young drug addicts of Ortona and today Chaplain of the “San Pio” Hospital in Vast. Don Gigi himself edited the preface of the book, confirming the importance and depth of Andrea’s story.
For twenty years Andrea was responsible for the Pedagogical Rehabilitation Community Life Project of Lanciano, today dedicates his life to prevention in schools, helping to change the destiny of many young people.
Antonella Frixa, co-author of the book, shared the motivations that led to writing this story. The idea was born several years ago, when a company close to the Life Project decided to give something alternative for Christmas to its employees, choosing to collect the stories of the kids from the Lanciano recovery community in a book. Andrea, then responsible for the community, felt the need to talk about his own life and that of his friends, and so, thanks to that “fortuitous” opportunity, the idea of The tin helicopter. The book was designed for young people and for schools, with a simple and fluent language that makes it accessible to everyone.
During the presentation, Don Gigi underlined the importance of this story, defining it “a book written with two hearts”. It is not an autobiography of Andrea, but the story of a boy who face life’s challenges with courage and determination. The narrative manages to excite and make people reflect, taking the reader on a journey into the soul and heart of a person.
Antonella added that the book was written with the aim of touching readers’ hearts and inspiring new perspectives on life. Andrea has found in writing a new form of expression to share his experience and encourage others not to give up in the face of difficulties.
The tin helicopter it’s more than a book, it’s a voyage exciting through the lives of courageous people who have found the strength to get up and to look forward. A story of resilience and hope that it will continue to enlighten and inspire anyone who has the pleasure of opening it and immersing themselves in its pages.
