A Poet, Peacemaker & Philosopher who Played & Dreamt Big Dreams
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.
Images of Mattie from the Muscular Dystrophy Website.
Three Reasons to Admire Mattie Stepanek
- His gift of his HeartSong
- Sharing his spirit and his light
- His ability to keep dreaming until his dreams happened.
Mattie Stepanek at a Glance
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek (July 17, 1990 ? June 22, 2004), known as Mattie Stepanek, was an American poet and advocate, who had six books of poetry and one book of essays all reach The New York Times bestsellers list. He became a well-respected peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on Capitol Hill on behalf of peace, people with disabilities, and children with life-threatening conditions.
Stepanek suffered from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy that resulted in his death just before his 14th birthday. His sister and two brothers also died from the disease during early childhood, and his mother has the adult form, diagnosed only after all four of her children were born.
Mattie Stepanek and Jimmy Carter
Just Peace in the Amazon Spotlight
Just Peace: A Message of Hope
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/16/2009)
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 want to be remembered as a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.
Mattie Stepanek
Your Thoughts on Mattie Stepanek
Mattie Stepanek and Jerry Lewis
Muscular Dystrophy Association
- 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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Jerry Lewis
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Comedian, singer, actor, director -- Jerry Lewis has many talents. Even though he is of ten the butt of others jokes, I am still delighted to watch an old Jerry Lewis movie, they were always pure fun and entertainment. He is almost more w...
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.
Mattie Stepanek's List of Published Works
Journey Through HeartSongs - 2001
Journey Through Heartsongs
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/16/2009)
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: $10.17 (as of 11/16/2009)
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."
Remember to play
after every storm!
Celebrate Through HeartSongs - 2002
Celebrate Through Heartsongs
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/16/2009)
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: $10.17 (as of 11/16/2009)
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: $11.53 (as of 11/16/2009)
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: $11.53 (as of 11/16/2009)
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 on Amazon
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
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.
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
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Oprah Gail Winfrey is thought to be the most influential woman in the world now. She is also considered to be the most philanthropic African-American of all time and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the United States. Oprah, as she is kno...
The Latest Posts in the Blogosphere about Mattie Stepanek
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- Tammy from Clinton IL Tammy from Clinton IL Jun 13, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
- 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.
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- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
- Great tribute to a great kid.
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- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago Mar 25, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
- Great tribute to a great kid.
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- Su Su Oct 21, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
- 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.
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- Anonymous Anonymous Sep 13, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
- Mattie Stepanek is such a wonderful child.
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