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Young Poet and Peacemaker Hero Mattie Stepanek passed away on the morning of June 22, 2004. Mattie’s poems of peace and hope have touched millions of lives; his heartsongs will continue to reach people of all ages around the world for decades to come.

Visitors are invited to add their thoughts about this courageous young man to MY HERO's guestbook honoring Mattie.


POET AND PEACEMAKER MATTIE STEPANEK
Photo by Jim Hawkins

Facing the Future

Every journey begins
With but a small step.
And every day is a chance
For a new, small step
In the right direction.
Just follow your Heartsong.

by Mattie Stepanek

From the book HOPE THROUGH HEARTSONGS by Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Copyright (c) 2002 Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Published by Hyperion. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

When Jim Hawkins of Children's Hospice International nominated Mattie as a hero on this Web site, the young poet hero was only six years old and had already written several hundred poems. Mattie was suffering from a hereditary disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. This rare form of muscular dystrophy had already claimed the lives of his three older siblings. Mattie's mother, Jeni, also suffers from this disease.

Jim wrote this about Mattie in the MY HERO guestbook...

"Little Mattie has somehow acquired more wisdom in his short life than most of us do after decades of living. Through his poetry, he expresses wisdom in a way that touches anyone's heart. With his unabashed enthusiasm for life Mattie has charmed everyone who has crossed his path.

Mattie has inspired many people, young and old, to overcome every obstacle they may encounter and strive for their goals with dignity and humanity. THANK YOU, MATTIE!"

In 1997, Mattie and Jeni shared his remarkable poetry with the children of all ages who come to this educational Web site. Children's Wish Foundation gave Mattie a computer and he was able to view his poems online along with the comments of visitors inspired by his work. Later, Mattie shared three wishes with his friends at MDA Camp, Children's Hospice International and MY HERO. The first wish was to publish a book of his poetry, the second was to meet his hero, former President Jimmy Carter, and the third wish was to appear on Oprah. Remarkably, by the end of 2001, all three of these wishes had come true.

In July, 2001, VSP Books and Hyperion Books joined forces to publish Mattie's book of poems, Heartsongs. Not surprisingly, it has become a national best seller. Hyperion signed Mattie to a three-book deal. The publishers have released Mattie's second book, Journey through Heartsongs. His third book, Hope through Heartsongs, was released in April of 2002.

In September, 2001, when Mattie was in the hospital, staff workers arranged for him to have a phone conversation with his hero, Jimmy Carter. According to those who witnessed the 15-minute chat, Mattie, whose selflessness is beyond reproach, talked to President Carter about problems in Bosnia and Africa, and not, as one would expect, about his own health complications. Incredibly, after speaking to Mattie, the former president decided to write the foreward to Mattie's second book, Journey through Heartsongs. A month later, Diane Sawyer and her staff at Good Morning America surprised Mattie with his first face-to-face meeting with President Carter on live TV.

On October 19, 2001, Mattie's third wish came true. Mattie was featured on Oprah and spoke with Winfrey about his books, his love for poetry and life, and his desire to be a peacemaker in the world. Oprah then read her favorite excerpts from Mattie's poetry and said, "I think that's so important, especially now, when everybody is feeling a sense of fear and having been terrorized, to look at what you have in your life and have a sense of gratitude and see the miracles in your life. And you, even though you're hooked up to all this equipment, and we had to plug you in during the commercial break to give you more oxygen, you still see miracles everyday in your life."


POET HERO:
MATTIE STEPANEK
by Jim Hawkins

Mattie suffered from a hereditary disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy that had already claimed the lives of his three older siblings. Mattie's mother, Jeni, also suffers from the same disease. Mattie needed to take a portable oxygen tank on wheels with him wherever he went. Many times his illness would land him in bed in the intensive care unit of the children's hospital. Outside, Mattie was only able to move about in his motorized wheelchair. Even though Mattie battled a terminal illness for many years, Mattie never saw his condition as an obstacle between him and his goals.

He began writing when he was about 3 years old. Before he passed away in June, 2004, Mattie had written thousands of poems, dozens of essays and short stories, and presented a bound anthology of his writing to the Library of Congress. He received many awards for his writing, including the Melinda A. Lawrence International Book Award in 1999 for “most inspirational work.”

His love of reading and writing evolved into public speaking, earning him the Maryland State Goodwill Ambassadorship for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. During his short lifetime, he enthusiastically participated in fundraising events to help find a cure for neuromuscular diseases, and to encourage children and families suffering from these diseases to celebrate life until a cure is found.

In Mattie’s words, “. . .we must remember to play after every storm and to celebrate the gift of life as we have it, or else life becomes a task, rather than a gift. We must always listen to the song in our heart, and share that song with others.”

Mattie on his hero ~

When I grow up, I want to be a peacemaker. My biggest role model for this is Jimmy Carter, who has been a wonderful peanut farmer, politician, and peacemaker... I call him the 'perfect hero.'

MATTIE'S POETRY

On Being a Champion

A Champion is a winner,
A hero...
Someone who never gives up
Even when the going gets rough.
A champion is a member of
A winning team...
Someone who overcomes challenges
Even when it requires creative solutions.
A champion is an optimist,
A hopeful spirit...
Someone who plays the game,
Even when the game is called life.
There can be a champion in each of us,
If we live as a winner,
If we live as a member of the team,
If we live with a hopeful spirit,
For Life.

From the book JOURNEY THROUGH HEARTSONGS by Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Copyright (c) 2001 Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Published by Hyperion. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Jeni Stepanek wrote in the MY HERO Guestbook:

My hero is: Mattie Stepanek, my son. Through Mattie's innocent and uncensored expressions about life as he sees it, and feels it, and thinks about it, I have been inspired to think more deeply about my own life. Sometimes, it takes the wisdom of a child, for us to really appreciate what we DO have in life, and to remember to celebrate the gift of every day.
Lyn Mox added this comment about MATTIE in the MY HERO Guestbook:

My hero is: Mattie Stepanek. Just wanted to say that in my personal life, Mattie is my hero and glad to see that someone else outside of my family and friends agrees. Mattie is friends and schoolmates with my son. Please keep giving us more jewels like Mattie and his mother Jeni.

Rebecca Corrine Schonwalder from Pennsylvania wrote to MY HERO about Mattie on December 16, 1998:

I honor that a person like Mattie Stepanek would tell people about how he feels and he is only 6. I am 17 and I don't know how to tell people how I feel.

On October 19, 2001, Dale-Anne Smith wrote about Mattie and his poetry:

Thank you so much for your page about Mattie. I am a 29-year-old single mother of a beautiful little 2-year-old girl. In this last year, since separating from her father, and moving from the States back to my home in Canada, I have gone through many dark moments of fear and uncertainty. Reading Mattie's poems on your site really helped me see things in their true perspective. He is a true hero, an old soul, and a blessing to this planet. I wish I could hug that little man right now and breathe in his energy; he has touched my heart in a profound way.

After seeing Mattie on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 81-year-old Elizabeth Haestie wrote:

I "met" Mattie for the first time today on the Oprah show - I am an 81-year-old English lady, in good health, but sometimes feel somewhat depressed that I don't have a great many more years ahead of me in this life. But Mattie knocked all those feelings out of my mind altogether, and I don't think they will ever return. I am an "old soul" too, Mattie, as you are, and I shall remember you and your mother all the rest of my life. You are my hero, too.

Read other comments from visitors to MY HERO about Mattie.

Add your comments about Mattie and other inspirational heroes to the MY HERO Guestbook.


Written by Jim Hawkins from Children's Hospice International
Photos courtesy of Jeni Stepanek and Jim Hawkins
Story Edited by Antonio Mendoza

RELATED LINKS

Mattie Online Visit Mattie's personal Web site.

Children's Hospice International Angel Hero Ann Armstrong-Dailey is the director of Children's Hospice International.

EXTRA INFORMATION

To read about Mattie Stepanek in Spanish, click here to visit Mi Heroe’s Mattie Stepanek story.

Listen to the song inspired by Mattie and his poems!

Special thanks to David Alexander and the choir at St. Paul's Episcopal Day School, Kansas City for this touching song. Click below to download:

On July 6, 2001, VSP Books and Hyperion Books joined efforts to publish Mattie's book, HeartSongs, which quickly became a national best seller.

Since then, Mattie has published several more best-selling books of poetry: Journey Through Heartsongs, Hope Through Heartsongs and Celebrate Through Heartsongs. Recently, the teenage country music sensation, Billy Gilman, released a CD entitled, Music Through Heartsongs, which features songs based on the poetry of Mattie.

In January 2003, Mattie's fifth book of poetry, Loving Through Heartsongs, was released by Hyperion Books. Way to go, Mattie!


Mattie at the press conference announcing the release of his book

Being interviewed by a TV personality

On 12 October 2003, Jim Hawkins wrote to MY HERO:

Mattie was the opening speaker at the CHI World Congress in Alexandria in September and, of course, wowed everyone. He surprised me while I was taking photos by announcing the creation of a "Mattie Stepanek Champion Award" and presenting it to me. That brought a lump to my throat.

The "Mattie Stepanek Champion Award" was created two years ago by Ann Armstrong-Dailey and CHI to honor Mattie's contributions to children everywhere.


 
RECOMMENDED READING

Celebrate Through Heartsongs
by Mattie Stepanek
Heartsongs
by Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Hope Through Heartsongs
by Mattie Stepanek
Journey through Heartsongs
by Mattie J. T. Stepanek

Just Peace: A Message of Hope
by Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Jennifer Smith Stepanek (Editor), Jimmy Carter (Foreword by)
Loving Through Heartsongs
by Mattie Stepanek

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

More Featured Child Heroes
Alexandra Scott raised money for cancer research through her nationwide lemonade stands.Alicia O'Brien was
the inspiration for Cherie Bennett's novel, Zink.		Ana Dodson formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education.Anne Frank :
'When I write, I
can shake off
all my cares.'
Anthony D. Leanna started
the 'Heavenly Hats Foundation' at the
age of 10. 		Ashley Rhodes-Courter is an advocate for foster children and adoption rights.Austin Gutwein founded Hoops of Hope.Bethany Hamilton survived a shark attack and inspired the world
Brandon Keefe 
provides books to
underfunded
libraries in his
hometown.		Calista M. Pierce makes and sells crafts to raise money for the Special Olympics.Catherine Malonza saved
her brother's life.		Connie O'Connell was a hero and inspiration to her family.
Craig Kielburger believes kids can change the world.Deland Chan 
started an environmental group
at the YMCA in New
York City. 		Elizabeth Cline 
is a hero to her
sister, Hallie.		Film Festival 2005
Ellie Wen created a website to help people learn to speak English.
Gerson Andres Florez Perez was nominated
for the Nobel Peace
Prize at age 16.		Gina Gallant is
an inventor whose
passion is
protecting the
environment.		Global Kids Leaders volunteer
to help their
schools and
communities.		Hannah Taylor started the Ladybug Foundation to help the homeless in her community.
Ibrahim Alex Bangura makes
music that sends a
message of peace
and tolerance.		iEARN connects the globe through technology.Iqbal Masih 
was a brave advocate for child labor laws in Pakistan.		Jason Crowe 
received the UN's
Global Peace &
Tolerance Award.
Jason XV: Argonaut
Maria Victoria Ferrara 
participated in
'Rainforests at
the Crossroads'
in Panama.		Jason XV: Panamanian Argonaut:
Andrea Kam 
participated in
the 'Rainforests at
the Crossroads'
expedition.		John Tacket is remembered as
a courageous,
fun-loving boy.		Joneice proved
how strong a
kid can be to her
sister, Kia.
Julia inspires her older cousin with her courage and spirited ability to overcome obstacles.Kristianne  is an amputee who encourages other young amputees with her positive approach to living.Mattie Stepanek is
a hero to people
of all ages
around the world.		Melinda Rose Hathaway used
the Internet to
encourage other
children with
cancer, too.
Mory Sanberg makes bag lunches for the homeless people in her city.Nickole Evans is
using technology
for peace.		Nicole Beal inspires her friend, Ashley, with her courage and positive outlook on life.Nkosi Johnson , an orphan infected by HIV who spoke out on behalf of children with AIDS.
Peace Children voted
overwhelmingly for
peace and change.		Postpessimists is working for change
in the Balkans.		Ruby Bridges 
bravely led the way
to desegregation
of schools as a
child.		Rudy wanted to
run before he
could walk.
Ryan Hreljac helps build wells for clean water in Africa.Ryan Wayne White devoted his life to educating the public about AIDS.Sadako Sasaki 
inspired an
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peace movement.		Samantha Marie Rowlands learned
to read when
others said she
couldn't.
SLATER is a
student reporter
who exudes peace
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Tori Degen  is a cancer survivor who helps others with MAKE A WISH FoundationWang Yani has
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Carl Sandburg  wrote poems, stories and nonfiction about Americans and American life.Chairil Anwar was a beloved Indonesian poet.Christine de Pisan was a 15th century French poet.Dante Alighieri contributed to Italian culture by his use of the Tuscan language instead of Latin.
Doreen Van Lee writes about her Chicago childhood.DuBose Heyward Wrote most of the lyrics to the famous musical, 'Porgy and Bess.'Dylan Thomas : life will carry on, always with the same vigor.Edgar Allan Poe was a renowned poet who overcame many hardships including depression.
Edna St. Vincent Millay 's poetry was both popular and critically acclaimed.Emily Elizabeth Dickinson wrote nearly 2,000 poems in her lifetime.Emma Lazarus was an advocate for immigrants' rights and wrote the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.Hadraawi, Beloved Peacemaker / Poet
of Somalia is a powerful voice for peace in his country.
Henry Rago was a Poet and Professor whose poetry stands the test of time.Ilse Bing was a remarkable poet and photographer. Her works withstand the test of time. Isaac Rosenberg was a poet of the Great War.Jack Prelutsky is a beloved children's book author, and the first Children's Poet Laureate
Khwajeh Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi  is a renowned Iranian poet.Langston Hughes was nicknamed the Poet Laureate of Harlem.Li Bai is often
referred to as
the 'God of Poets'
in China.		Maria Josephine Barrios Filipina poet and activist
Mariama Khan writes poetry to champion the cause of the voiceless.Mattie Stepanek is
a hero to people
of all ages
around the world.		Maya Angelou is a beloved female author and poet.Naguib Mahfouz was the first Arab to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Ntozake Shange 
is the inventor of the choreopoem.		Pablo Neruda is the most widely read Latin-American poet.Paul Laurence Dunbar was an African-American poet of the nineteenth century.Phillis Wheatley 
was the first
distinguished
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Robert Lee Frost was named 'the national bard.'Robert Penn Warren was the first Poet Laureate of the United States.Saul Williams is a Spoken Word Poet and Slam Champ.Shel Silverstein was a poet, playwright, lyricist and good friend.
 
Theodor Seuss (Dr. Seuss) Geisel W.E.B. Dubois  was a leading 19th century writer and scholar.William Shakespeare wrote plays & poetry that continue to have a lasting effect on readers all over the world. 
 

Last changed on:10/20/2008 3:22:52 PM