‘The tournament of his life’, the children’s book about football and disability that will raise funds for medical research

The Conquistando Escalones Association launches this September 30, a special crowdfunding campaign that aims to raise funds so that the children’s book ‘The tournament of your life’ sees the light and becomes one more way to finance medical research that seeks a cure for Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy 1F and HIV.

The campaign, which is launched coinciding with World Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophies Day, “will offer special rewards for donations in the first 48 hours, which are vital for the project to get off to a strong start”, explains the President of the Association and author from the book, Abrahán Guirao.

However, the ‘The tournament of your life’ campaign will remain active until November 8 through VERKAMI and the rewards will be offered, as usual, according to the amount donated. Some of these gifts are “books, merchandising or the appearance in the book of your company logo …”, indicates Guirao, who recalls that the donations made can obtain important tax deductions as they have been declared this year a Public Utility by the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of Spain. The idea with which it works is that the book is printed at the beginning of December.

‘The tournament of his life’ is, in fact, a book for the whole family that talks about disability and inclusiveness without heroics or paternalism “, says the author of the book who says he feels” especially excited “with this project” since I have been able, in part, reflect my experience as a child, when I discovered that I had a degenerative disease, mixed with my passion for football. Likewise, Guirao wants to thank “all the professionals who have voluntarily collaborated so that this project sees the light as my cousin Ismael Cabedo Romero, illustrator of the book (who, in addition to being an excellent cartoonist, lived my childhood first hand and disease); The revisions were made by Ángel Gil Cheza (writer and proofreader); Vanesa Martínez Molina (psychologist); Altea Sellés Estevan (psychologist); Antonio Fernández Caballero (teacher); Miriam Ramos Guirao (teacher and María Cubedo Fernández (teacher) ”.

In addition to being published in Spanish, ‘The tournament of your life’ will be translated into Valencian, English and Italian – versions that will initially be in digital format – and “these translations will be thanks to the selfless work of Cristòfol Tripiana; Elena Archiles of ‘Clap Educación Activa’; Jessica Furlan; Alessio Visintin and Lucina Deponte ”. The idea is to expand to more languages.

Synopsis ‘The tournament of his life’

“What is it like to be a child who discovers that he has a degenerative disease? What are genetic mutations? What is it like to play soccer without being able to run like other children?

‘The tournament of his life’ is an illustrated book that tells how its protagonist, Felipe, arrives at a new school and makes new friends while he notices that his body begins to transmit strange sensations and he begins to not be able to run or climb stairs like the rest . This illustrated book tells us about the adventures of a gang of boys and girls who create a strong bond and fight together towards an exciting purpose. It tells an exciting story about friendship, football and above all, inclusiveness. Disability away from messages of heroics OR paternalism.

‘The tournament of his life’ is a pinch in the stomach of those that make you cry, laugh and in general, get excited, feel.

All proceeds from its sale go to medical research on Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy 1F and HIV. ”

What is Conquistando Escalones?

The Conquistando Escalones Association is made up of those affected by a rare, genetic, hereditary and degenerative disease called Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy 1F. A few years ago it was discovered that the mutation that causes it makes them immune to HIV. The association supports the research of a large group of researchers who seek a cure for their ailment and at the same time new treatments for HIV. Such investigations are carried out in a coordinated manner in centers such as La Fe de Valencia, the Carlos III Institute of Madrid, the University of Valencia and the Vall d’Hebrón in Barcelona, ​​as well as other international centers from Italy, the United Kingdom and Finland.