Stepanek foundation was established by a group of citizens in rockville, maryland where he lived. The book made the new york times bestseller list and turned mattie stepanek into. He was wise, kind, and a poet with a terminal disease. His three older siblings died from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, too. Mattie stepanek obituary washington, dc the washington. Matthew mattie joseph thaddeus stepanek was born on july 17, 1990 with a rare neuromuscular disease. Mattie said he wanted to be, as an ultimate goal in his life, an ambassador of humanity and a daddy. Apr 19, 2016 22 june 2004, gate of heaven cemetery, silver spring, maryland, usa mattie stepanek was a sufferer of mda who died at just thirteen years of age. Stepanek has 16 books on goodreads with 3005 ratings. His first was truly a work of art and in this book, he builds on his art and makes it a mite more personal. Matties first book, heartsongs is dedicated to those who believe in celebrating gifts of life every day. A must watch for anyone who wants to find a reason to carry against all odds.
She may seem as a little bitchy at first, but once you crack the code, shes super friendly. For our world, a poem written on 911 by mattie stepanek. Mattie is a frequent public speaker who has appeared on oprah, good morning america, and larry king and has had his poetry published in newspapers and magazines nationwide. When matties hero, former president jimmy carter, spoke to the crowd, he said, we have known kings and. In 2014, hundreds gathered for matties 10year anniversary with a mass celebrated at the franciscan monastery in washington, dc, concelebrated by several members of the clergy, including monsignor charles pope and fr. This quote by my son, mattie, summarizes the mission of the mattie j. Site support and maintenance by lowthian design works. Both he and his mother, jeni stepanek, suffer from rare. Matthew the apostle and the international day of peace. The mission of the guild is to gather information and reflections about matties life and heroic virtues for the possible cause of canonization.
Mattie stepanek was not just a person with dsyautonomic mitochrondrial myopathy, but he was a young boy who rose above difficult odds. Two, to talk peace with my hero, jimmy carter, mattie says. Jeni stepaneks last heartsong her son was a celebrity, the little boy poet with the devastating rare disease who earned a following around the world. Mattie stepanek was 11 years old when he wrote this poem on the day of 911. His mother, jeni stapanek, served as vice president of the muscular dystrophy association. In his dedication, mattie reminds the reader to always remember to play after every storm. This book is his mothers reflections of their life as a family. Jeni stepaneks home is an attractive fourbedroomed house with a white picket. But be warned, cracking her code is a very daunting task. Jun 22, 2014 when oprah decided to end the oprah winfrey show after 20 years, she received a letter from a 12yearold boy urging her to reconsider. A few days later in his maryland hometown, oprah joined hundreds of mattie s admirers to celebrate his life. Id seen mattie stepanek on oprah as a child with muscular dystrophy. Mar 29, 2002 mattie stepanek is the brilliant, wheelchairbound maryland boy with muscular dystrophy who has become a bestselling inspirational poet.
Stepanek and heartsongs was a powerful read for me. Jeni stepanek is the mother of mattie stepanek, the new york times bestselling author and humanitarian, who passed away in 2004 to dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. Matties very first book, which he put together for a book contest when he was in. Mattie j t stepanek, poet and advocate for people with muscular.
Jeni stepanek extended interview november, 2009 read and watch kim lawtons interview with jeni stepanek, author of messenger. Born on july 17, 1990, mattie began creating and sharing heartsongs at the young age of 3. Stepanek all material on this website is owned and ed by mattie j. Stepanek guild was initiated on september 21, 2012 the feast of st.
Mattie stepanek, age 11, has been writing poetry since he. Despite disability, mattie grew to be a wellrespected poet and peace ambassador, and he inspired millions of people around the world with his deep faith in god and humanity, and with his messages of hope and peace. Mattie was a frequent public speaker who appeared on oprah, the today show, and good morning america and had his poetry published in. Id like to ask everyone first of all to turn off their wii first pagers and cell. When mattie s hero, former president jimmy carter, spoke to the crowd, he said, we have known kings and. She can sing, shes usually an athlete, and shes incredibly attractive, inside and out.
The first publication of matties poems or heartsongs, this book is dedicated to those who believe in celebrating gifts of life every day. He wanted to leave a human legacy and family descendents, but matties legacy, obviously, is much greater than that. Since 2005, our volunteerbased notforprofit has worked to develop and disseminate programs and activities that. Matties mom goes on book tour and stays with poet maya angelou and spends time with sailing singer christopher cross. Mattie stepanek obituary washington, dc the washington post. Proclamation given in honor of boy who died in 2004 video. In 2001 he released his first volume of poetry, heartsongs. I would like to thank you all so much for coming tonight. Mattie continues to inspire those who have heard his message. Within weeks, the book was on the new york times bestseller list, and he.
The book includes poetry mattie wrote when he was 3 to 5 years of age. His volume hartsongs reached the new york times bestsellers list. Stepanek, best known as mattie, was raised by his mother, jeni, in upper marlboro, md. I own the little paperback first edition of this book, and i wouldnt part with it. Jeni lost three other children to that same neuromuscular disease and has the adultonset form herself. Mattie and his mother jeni at his first book signing in 2001 jeni stepaneks home is an attractive fourbedroomed house with a white picket fence. Matties books should head a list of books to read before i live, so if you are unfamiliar. A bronze statue of mattie was dedicated to the park in his memory. Nov, 2009 jeni stepanek extended interview november, 2009 read and watch kim lawtons interview with jeni stepanek, author of messenger. Almost 14 on tuesday, june 22, 2004 of rockville, md. He wanted to leave a human legacy and family descendants, but matties legacy, obviously, is much greater than. Oct 17, 2012 this the story of mattie a boy beyond his age, who left a message of hope, peace and love for everyone.
Stepanek, is a book of poems written by the author. His battle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, which claimed the lives of his three siblings and was threatening his own life, only seemed to make his spirit stronger. Mattie stepanek read from his new book hope through heartsongs, published by hyperion. This poet, bestselling author, peace activist, and prominent voice for the muscular dystrophy association fervently believed in and promoted world peace not just as a concept, but as a reality. Mattie and his mother jeni at his first book signing in 2001. Hope through heartsongs by mattie j t stepanek alibris. His first three books of poetry are titled heartsongs. One, to have my book published so i can spread my message of peace through the world. After seeing mattie on the oprah winfrey show, 81yearold elizabeth haestie wrote. Mattie stepanek, his newest book is hope through heartsongs more with mattie, and then in a little while, well meet his mother.
When oprah decided to end the oprah winfrey show after 20 years, she received a letter from a 12yearold boy urging her to reconsider. Stepaneks most popular book is journey through heartsongs. Jeni explained that mattie wrote his first poem after the collapse of new yorks twin towers on sept. In 2002, mattie was awarded the childrens hope medal of. The moving tribute to the young man oprah winfrey called an inspirationtold by the woman who raised him. Shes very hard to read, like maybe one day shell talk to you, but then the next its like youre totally. Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek july 17, 1990 june 22, 2004, known as mattie j. Mattie stepanek, poet and inspiration the new york times. Mattie stepanek, who died when he was years old of a rare disorder, appeared on good morning america in 2001 with former president carter. You can learn more about his brief, amazing, inspiring life at his website. The awardwinning bestselling poetry of 11yearold mattie stepanek has touched the lives of hundreds and thousands of people. Jun 29, 2002 mattie stepanek read from his new book hope through heartsongs, published by hyperion. Eventually his medical condition destined to take his life. His first three books of poetry are titled heartsongs, journey through heartsongs, and hope through heartsongs.
Stepanek, oprahs favorite guest who passed on june 22, 2004 in the arms of his mother at the age of. I met mattie for the first time today on the oprah show i am an 81yearold english lady, in good health, but sometimes feel somewhat depressed that i dont have a great many more years ahead of me in this life. Shortly after stepaneks death in 2004, the nonprofit mattie j. Fighting that same illnessand now, a constellation of other afflictionsthe rockville resident looks back on what a brief but wondrous thing it was to be mattie stepaneks mom. See more ideas about muscular dystrophies, american poets and peace essay. He continues to impact the world through just peace. A proclamation was presented in his honor saturday. Stepanek, best known as mattie, has been writing poetry and short stories since age three. Sadly he passed away in 2004 after a long battle with dysautonamic mitochondrial myopathy. Stepanek, a yearold boy, made a difference before he died with his heartsongs poetry. Mattie is a frequent public speaker who has appeared on oprah, good morning america, and larry king and has had his poetry published in newspapers and magazines. He wrote poetry and short stories since the age of three, and his first book of poetry entitled heartsongs is a collection of his earliest works. If his first book, heartsongs, is a nifty little polished poetic gem, the selfstyled peacemakers second book, journey through heartsongs, is a natural sequel a highlypolished, multilayered gem.
Mattie s foundation needs you dear friend of mattie s foundation, peace is possible. Mattie s very first book, which he put together for a book contest when he was in kindergarten, offers four chapters of poetry and finger paintings senses, seasons, celebrations, and sounds of childhood. Mattie stepanek bio, facts, family famous birthdays. On october 21, 2008, hundreds of people who had been touched by his life gathered for the opening of mattie j.
Matties very first book, which he put together for a book contest when he was in kindergarten, offers four chapters of poetry and finger paintings senses, seasons, celebrations, and sounds of childhood. At find thousands of poems categorized into thousands of categories. The boy was mattie stepanek, a young poet with a rare form. This is a gorgeous 3 book set of his first 3 books of poems. Stepanek, a wellrespected poet and awardwinning peace ambassador, lived a life that was brief in length but powerfully blessed with depth. Mattie stepanek was born on july 17, 1990 in washington, district of columbia, usa as matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek. Matthew joseph thaddeus stepanek july 17, 1990 june 22, 2004, known as mattie stepanek, was an american poet, who published five books of poetry and one book of essays. This the story of mattie a boy beyond his age, who left a message of hope, peace and love for everyone. Mattie got his first wish when two books of his poetry, heartsongs and journey through heartsongs, where published earlier this year. Mattie was a frequent public speaker who appeared on oprah, the today show. From heartsongs, to vietnam war memorial, to prayer for a journey, mattie has written movingly and courageously about life and death, love and loss, faith and hope, innocence and joy. Stepanek had already become a phenomenal poet, peacemaker and philosopher. He also read excerpts from his book at the childrens national. I bought this set through amazon and it is simply difficult not to read and reread it.
Mattie stepanek is the brilliant, wheelchairbound maryland boy with muscular dystrophy who has become a bestselling inspirational poet. Matties foundation needs you dear friend of matties foundation, peace is possible. In 2008, the we are family foundation hosted the first annual international three dot dash just peace summit based on the message stepanek offered in his book just peace. Originally released as a three chapter paperback in 2001, the rereleased hardback contains four chapters. Mattie stepanek read from his new book hope through heartsongs. He became a peace advocate and motivational speaker, and lobbied on capitol hill on behalf of peaceneutrality is disputed, people with. A prolific writer, mattie penned 7 new york times bestselling books. This book is his mothers reflections of their life.