Reissue of the book "Tiagolas and other stories"
The book “Tiagolas e outras estórias” was published in 2011 and launched in May of that same year, at the Chiado Building in Coimbra. It was a very well-received book, widely publicized and acquired by City Councils and Libraries across the country. It was also the subject of some events on Disability, always with the presence and intervention of the author, at a national level.
It sold out quickly and it was not possible to make a second edition, because in the meantime, the printing company that, at the time, made the author's edition, free of charge, went bankrupt and closed, leaving the book files lost. It was not possible to recover them, for reasons beyond our control.
The book tells real stories such as that of Tiago Miranda (on the cover of the book), current stories with real characters, but also others brought from the memories of the experiences of Professor Manuel Miranda (author of the book) in his homeland. Few of them are fiction, but they are always based on real experiences or stories.
I think that due to the richness of the variety in times, also from different places, they can help to get an idea of the evolution of the problem of Disability in Portugal and perhaps beyond.
The author combines his experience as a very attentive and always present father with the writing of these reports, as well as being a scholar in constant search for information that gives him a unique and extensive wealth of knowledge on this subject.
In addition to these characteristics, he was a responsible teacher who was always there to defend the most special students due to their differences. He also studied Psychology at ISPA (Lisbon), where he had great teachers who were references in the study, teaching and written documentation on Disability. He never stopped reading, studying and writing about this subject that he was so passionate about, even before he knew he would have a son, who would also have a Disability and a profound disability (96% incapacity).
To all this, we can add his talent for writing and his scrupulousness with the correctness of texts and words. And also the lightness with which he treats the stories, which makes them easy to read without, however, taking away from them the “drama” that exists in some situations.
It is a book that is read with great pleasure, even feeling the weight of suffering hidden in the words.
It is no coincidence that many people still look for it today. Professor Miranda wanted to republish it, as it is a book that is always up-to-date, but the PDFs that were so sought after were missing.
Fate would have it that Professor Miranda "passed away" a month ago, and 15 days after his death the PDFs appeared, perhaps yet another indication that this book really needs to be reissued. Its reappearance was certainly no coincidence!...
In order for the reissue to be carried out at no cost, namely for Professor Miranda's widow, Maria Prazeres Quintas, nor for the Institution (AFSD/Cavalo Azul) to whom the proceeds are intended, just as those from the other edition and other books have always been donated, this crowdfunding is being launched.
