Mattie Stepanek

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A Poet, Peacemaker and Philosopher

Mattie Stepanek wanted to be known as a poet, peacemaker and philosopher who played. Even though he had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, Mattie was able to accomplish a lot in his short life. He was not limited by the disease.

For this reason he was one of the Superheroes that I named for a Squidoo Superhero project in 2008.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador, wrote six best-selling books. In 2001, a small publisher issued a slim volume of his poems, called "Heartsongs." Within weeks, the book reached the top of the Times' best-seller list.

He died in June 2004 just shy of his 14th birthday. (As pointed out by Oprah on her May 20th show, Mattie would have been 21 in June 2011.)

His mother Jeni, also afflicted with dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy is carrying on his legacy, with her book Messages and through the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation.

Images of Mattie from the Muscular Dystrophy Website.

Three Reasons to Admire Mattie Stepanek

  1. His gift of his HeartSong
  2. Sharing his spirit and his light
  3. His ability to keep dreaming until his dreams happened.

A New Hope for Peace: It's Not a Fairytale

Jeni Stepanek tells the inspiring story of her son Mattie at TEDx in her speech, "A New Hope for Peace: It's Not a Fairytale" in March 2010.
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Messengers

Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs

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Jeni Stepanek take a look at the story behind her son Mattie.

Learn about the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation and Park

The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, created in 2005 to continue the work of the late teen poet and peace activist, Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation Brochure
PDF File of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation Brochure with more information about his foundation.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
The 28-acre park site was dedicated to the citizens of Rockville by King Farm Associates as part of a 92-acre public park system for the King Farm neighborhood.
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park Opening - a set on Flickr
WAFF travelled to Rockville, Maryland to support Mattie and his message, a big inspiration to WAFF, during the official opening of the 27-acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park on October 18, 2008. Hundreds were in attendance, including Oprah who made a surprise visit from Chicago.

Mattie Stepanek and Jimmy Carter 

The Most Extraordinary Person - Mattie

We have known kings and queens, and we've known presidents and prime ministers, but the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known in my life is Mattie Stepanek.

Former President Jimmy Carter
Mattie Stepanek's Eulogy

Just Peace in the Amazon Spotlight

Just Peace: A Message of Hope

Amazon Price: $3.65 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Mattie was working on this manuscript with Jimmy Carter when he died in June 2004. His mother, Jeni, who edited the material and wrote a preface for the book is publishing it at her son's request.

Just Peace is an intimate portrait of a president, a young man of hope, and peace itself.

Mattie Stepanek on NBC

Mattie Stepanek
by theogz | video info

48 ratings | 12,956 views
curated content from YouTube

Your Thoughts on Mattie Stepanek

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He Left a Heart Print in My Life

With Mattie, the light of his life shined so brightly that every one of us who knew him, who were honored and had the grace to meet him, will feel the glow for the rest of our lives.

I know that his Heartsong has left a heart print in my life. A heart print that abides with me even now.

Oprah Winfrey

Remembering Mattie Stepanek

Mattie Stepanek will be one of the amazing guests remembered during Oprah Winfrey's final days of her show.
Mattie Stepanek's Mission of Peace - Oprah.com
Oprah's first-ever meeting with Mattie Stepanek, a gifted 11-year-old poet who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

A Featured Lens on Oprah

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Mattie Stepanek & Jeni Stepanek

Mattie Stepanek and his mother Jeni Stepanek from a 2010 MDA local family profile.
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Mattie Stepanek and Jerry Lewis 

Muscular Dystrophy Association

Mattie Stepanek was the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador.
Welcome to MDA, Helping Jerry's Kids
Main Website for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Remembering Mattie Stepanek
Remembering Mattie Stepanek on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's website.
Mattie Stepanek - Poems
Selected Poems by Mattie Stepanek on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Remembering Mattie website.

A Squidoo Featured Lens on MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis

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Mattie on Larry King on YouTube

Mattie on Larry King
by theogz | video info

94 ratings | 55,092 views
curated content from YouTube

Poet, Peacemaker & Philosopher 

What is a Heart Song?

A heartsong is something deep inside each of us. It's our sense of why we are here and how we can keep going. It's like a purpose.

It may be to live as a mommy or a daddy, or a firefighter or a delivery person, or a child with a disability who teaches others about patience and love and acceptance.

Journey Through HeartSongs - 2001

Journey Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $1.19 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Mattie J.T. Stepanek takes us on a Journey Through Heartsongs with his moving poems. These poems share the rare wisdom that Mattie has acquired through his struggle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy and the death of his three siblings from the same disease.

His life view is one of love and generosity and as a poet and a peacemaker, his desire is to bring his message of peace to as many people as possible.

Hope Through HeartSongs - 2002

Hope Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $1.00 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

More of Mattie J.T. Stepanek's internationally inspiring poetry collected and published as Hope Through Heartsongs.

Former President Jimmy Carter wrote that "Mattie will inspire readers of all ages with thoughts and images that bring both tears and expanded hearts."

Peace is possible... it can begin simply over a game of chess
and a cup of tea.

Celebrate Through HeartSongs - 2002

Celebrate Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $2.88 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Celebrate Through Heartsongs, his fourth inspiring collection of poetry, features works written between the ages of three and eleven, and continues to spread Mattie's message of universal hope, peace, courage, and love.

Fully illustrated by the poet, the collection will appeal to people of all ages, religions, and beliefs.

Loving Through HeartSongs - 2003

Loving Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $2.93 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Loving Through Heartsongs, a beautiful collection of poems written about innocence and trusting love from a child's perspective.

Mattie's struggle with muscular dystrophy has never kept him from feeling deep love for his family, friends, country, and faith-heartfelt emotions that are reflected throughout these pages.

Think Gently,
Speak Gently, Live Gently

Reflections of a Peacemaker - 2005

Reflections of a Peacemaker: A Portrait Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $4.79 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Reflections of a Peacemaker: A Portrait Through Heartsongs is the final collection of Heartsongs that Mattie was working on when he died.

Culled from the thousands of poems, essays, and journal entries Mattie left behind by his mother, the entries in Reflections of a Peacemaker create a portrait of Mattie in his own words.

Just Peace: A Message of Hope - 2006

Just Peace: A Message of Hope

Amazon Price: $3.65 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Mattie was working on this manuscript with Jimmy Carter when he died in June 2004. His mother, Jeni, who edited the material and wrote a preface for the book is publishing it at her son's request.

Just Peace is an intimate portrait of a president, a young man of hope, and peace itself.

I have big dreams and I don't stop dreaming them until they happen.

Mattie Stepanek Books

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A Video Tribute to "I Am" on YouTube

I Am
by NicholasKritter | video info

102 ratings | 37,369 views
curated content from YouTube

I am...

I am spirit, I am voice
I am memory, not recalled
I am chance, I am cause
I am effort, blocked and walled
I am many, I am no one
I am seasoned by each being
I am me, I am you
I am all-souls now decreeing

Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Billy Gilman Sings I Am/Shades of Life

Billy Gilman Pays Tribute to Mattie Stepanek on the 2010 MDA Telethon from MDA on YouTube
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Music Through Heartsongs

Music Through Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $5.50 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

A collaboration of music and poetry as award-winning country artist Billy Gilman sings the Heartsongs of Mattie Stepanek.

I want to be remembered as a poet,
a peacemaker,
and a philosopher who played.

Mattie Stepanek

Eulogies and Tributes for Mattie Stepanek

Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek
Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek by Jimmy Carter from the Carter Center.
Jimmy Carter Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek
Jimmy Carter's Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek from the MDA website.
Oprah Winfrey Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek
Oprah Winfrey's Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek from the MDA website.
Child poet Mattie Stepanek dies at 13 - U.S. news - MSNBC.com
Child poet Mattie Stepanek, whose inspirational verse made him a best-selling writer and a prominent voice for muscular dystrophy sufferers, died Tuesday of a rare form of the disease at age 13.
Jann Carl Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek
Jann Carl's Eulogy for Mattie Stepanek from the MDA website.
Remembering Mattie Stepanek
Remembering Mattie Stepanek on the Muscular Dystrophy Association's website.
Oprah's Tribute to Mattie Stepanek
A tribute to Mattie Stepanek on Oprah.
Heartsongs from Mattie Stepanek
Poetry from Mattie Stepanek documenting his message of peace for the world.

The Latest Posts in the Blogosphere about Mattie Stepanek

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Remember to play after every storm!

The Latest News about Mattie Stepanek

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Comments on Mattie Stepanek

Have you been touched by the wisdom of Mattie Stepanek?

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  • Reply
    RenaissanceWoman2010 Nov 21, 2011 @ 9:03 pm | delete
    From the moment I first heard Mattie's message, his poems, his heartsongs, I knew there was much I could learn from his depth of spirit, from his old soul. I have known many extraordinary children in my lifetime, but truly, Mattie was perhaps the wisest individual I ever encountered. Hearing his mother, Jeni, speak on the video you provided, was powerfully moving. This tribute to Mattie Stepanek blessed me immensely. Thank you for the gift of this collection of wisdom.
  • Reply
    resabi Jul 2, 2011 @ 11:43 am | delete
    I've been aware of Mattie's story for years. He was educated in our local school system and one of the projects unique to our system is the Write-a-Book program, in which students write, illustrate, and bind their own books. Mattie participated in this program for years, as did my daughter. Many children knew about him and found him an inspiration.
  • Reply
    HeavenBlessedMe Jun 21, 2011 @ 5:14 am | delete
    I became a fan of Mattie's instantly,. He was a wonderful child who believed anything was possible, and no dream was too far to reach. I read all his poetry, and when he passed it touched me deeply, He taught us so much, and his legacy lives on to continue to teach others. Thank you Mattie for leaving your footprints on my heart. You are missed but never forgotten.
  • Reply
    HeavenBlessedMe Jun 21, 2011 @ 5:14 am | delete
    I became a fan of Mattie's instantly,. He was a wonderful child who believed anything was possible, and no dream was too far to reach. I read all his poetry, and when he passed it touched me deeply, He taught us so much, and his legacy lives on to continue to teach others. Thank you Mattie for leaving your footprints on my heart. You are missed but never forgotten.
  • Reply
    Tammy from Clinton IL Jun 13, 2009 @ 2:30 pm | delete
    I truely believe Mattie was an Angel sent from God to teach us all that it sometimes takes a child to show us how to love one another.
  • Reply
    JenOfChicago Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    Great tribute to a great kid.
  • Reply
    JenOfChicago Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:43 pm | delete
    Great tribute to a great kid.
  • Reply
    Su Oct 21, 2008 @ 12:31 pm | delete
    I am so glad that I happened upon the story of Mattie. What a spirit. I don't know how long it will take for my eyes to not be puffy and red. I will not forget Mattie and his message either, and I will share it with anyone who will listen. Blessings.
  • Reply
    Gandree Oct 20, 2008 @ 7:41 am | delete
    Mattie was such a special little boy. We can all learn from his life.
  • Reply
    Anonymous Sep 13, 2008 @ 4:47 pm | delete
    Mattie Stepanek is such a wonderful child.

Benefiting Global Giving

Since Mattie message reached around the world, it seemed fitting to find a charity from the Squidoo charities that had a world-wide reach.

This lens benefits global giving, a non-profit working to build an efficient, open, thriving marketplace that connects people who have community and world-changing ideas with people who can support them.

P.S. I made this lens for the Squidoo Superheroes Project

I was invited to participate in the Squidoo Superhero Project, making 5 lenses in 2 weeks about the people who have inspired me, mentored me or changed the way I look at the world.

If you buy anything from this page, you'll automatically be sending a royalty straight to the Squidoo Charity Fund, which pays out to a variety of nonprofits every month.

Be Sure to Visit My Other Superhero Lenses

A Collection of Superhero Lenses for others who have faced incredible life challenges.
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Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor,... more »

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Messenger 

Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs

Amazon Price: $3.83 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

Mattie's Mom tells his story and carries on his legacy.

Heartsongs Collection 

Heartsongs Collection: The Poetry of Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Amazon Price: $14.33 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

An audiobook collection of Mattie's poetry.