Mattie Stepanek

Mattie

My hero is Mattie Stepanek. Mattie was born with muscular dystrophy, a disease his three other siblings and his mother were also born with. When Mattie was little, his three siblings died of this disease. The death of his siblings made Mattie want to start to write poetry. Poetry was how Mattie let out all of his emotions and problems in his life.

Mattie’s qualities have affected my life because he believed that each day was a gift from God. Mattie knew that it was a miracle that he was alive as long as he was. I believe it is exceptional that a 13 year old thought that way. Mattie also said that he gets all his strength from his mom and God. The way Mattie thought inspires me to become a better person and to think that nothing is impossible with God.

“Poems published, meet Jimmy Carter, and to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show to share my message of peace with others,” those are the three dreams that Mattie had. Each one of those dreams has come true. Mattie has published five books full of poetry and has meet Jimmy Carter, face to face, on Good Morning America. His third dream came true on October 19, 2001. Everyone was inspired by his visions of a peaceful world.

Sadly, on June 22, 2004, Mattie died. He had died from muscular dystrophy. Mattie has inspired many people through his visions of peace and his inspirational poems. Both Jimmy Carter and Oprah Winfrey spoke at his funeral and remembered how Mattie had positively affected their lives. “A Poet, Peacemaker, and a Philosopher who Played,” is an excellent way to be remembered!