Mattie Stepanek

Matthew "Mattie" Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek (July 17, 1990 - June 22, 2004) was an American poet and advocate. At the age of 3, Stepanek started to write poetry to cope with the death of his older brother. His five books are: Heartsongs, Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs, Celebrate Through Heartsongs and Loving Through Heartsongs. Three of the five works made the New York Times's Best Seller list.

Related Topics:
July 17 - 1990 - June 22 - 2004 - American - Poet - Advocate - New York Times's Best Seller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mattie wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played." His mother fulfilled her promise to Mattie and edited one last collection of poetry, entitled Reflections of a Peacemaker, another NY Times bestseller. The forthcoming Just Peace is a collection of Mattie's correspondence with President Jimmy Carter and essays on peace.

Related Topics:
Jimmy Carter - Peace

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stepanek had a rare form of muscular dystrophy, dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. His sister and two brothers died from the disease, and his mother suffers from the adult form, diagnosed only after her children were born.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2002, Stepanek became the Muscular Dystrophy Association National Goodwill Ambassador, due to his national high profile because of his poetry and related appearances on Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America. He died at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C on Tuesday, June 22, 2004.

Related Topics:
2002 - Muscular Dystrophy Association - Oprah - Larry King Live - Good Morning America - Children's National Medical Center - Washington, D.C - Tuesday - June 22 - 2004

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~