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Mattie Stepanek

by Odelina from Tampico

Every Action has a Consequence

I consider a hero anyone who tries to help everyone without asking anything in return. A hero is not actually the tall, strong man that shows his underwear and flies over the city and watches over it. No, it’s not that at all. If that were the real definition, heroes wouldn’t exist. I think anyone who helps or tries to help when they see people who try to do something right are the true heroes. A hero would be someone noble, sincere and intelligent. He or she, will be very motivated, and expressive. They wouldn’t stay quiet when they see something wrong going on. A hero with his words is able to make the world a better place to live. Just by making a reflection and as a result making one person a better person, and motivating that person to do something very important for the world.

I consider my hero one of these people, because he makes people reflect about life. Since he was a little boy he was able to do such a thing. He expressed himself like an adult. He made people reflect with his poems, but also with his life. He is a very good example of perseverance. We just have to think about his life, which wasn’t a normal one because, he was sick, but that was not a problem for him. He told everyone what he thought, what he did, and that made people walk in his shoes and think about what they had. Mattie was not born famous, but he is very much admired because of his courage when he fought his sickness.

I consider my hero one of these people, because he makes people reflect about life. Since he was a little boy he was able to do such a thing. He expressed himself like an adult. He made people reflect with his poems, but also with his life. He is a very good example of perseverance. We just have to think about his life, which wasn’t a normal one because, he was sick, but that was not a problem for him. He told everyone what he thought, what he did, and that made people walk in his shoes and think about what they had. Mattie was not born famous, but he is very much admired because of his courage when he fought his sickness.

I really want to thank Mattie for being such a great person, and by helping others the same way he helped me when I was moody or sorry for something. His attitude made me reflect about the gift life is and how we can really enjoy it. I never thought such a big beautiful, nice soul could fit in such a little body. I like and enjoy reading others’ opinions about Mattie and, at last, I see that it is not only me who looks on that in Mattie. I hope he knows how much we admire him, and how many people are with him. He helped us, now, he knows he counts on me! Thank you Mattie.

Mattie Stepanek was a famous poet with only 6 years of age. He had a hereditary disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. He got it from his mother, who suffers it too. Mattie was nominated as a hero on MY HERO by spmeone from the Children’s Hospice when he was 6 years old ---and had already written hundreds of poems. When he was invited to M.S. Dystophy Camp people asked Mattie what were his three wishes, and he answered:

1º: publish all his poems in a book.

2º: meet his HERO; Jimmy Carter.

3º: appear in Oprah.

Mattie's wishes came true. In 1997 VSP Books and Hyperion Books, joined forces and published Mattie’s first book that was called Heartsongs. It became such a hit that, Hyperion Books signed with Mattie a three-book deal. The next two books were called Journey trough Heartsongs and Hope trough Heartsongs.

That was his 1º wish. Then in 2001, Mattie was at the hospital and suddenly received a call from his hero: Jimmy Carter.

That same year, in October, Mattie’s third wish came true. He appeared with Winfrey in Oprah talking about all his books.

I think a hero must be someone who really likes to help or even save people. My hero, who’s Mattie Stepanek, is a little boy, but he is a hero. I say he is my hero because I would like a lot to do what he did. Writing what he thought and letting every single person read his poems. He, made many people reflect about what they were doing and he really made better persons because those who were in the wrong way trough life thought about it twice. I really admire that boy because a little seven-year-old kid did what many campaigns and strong people wanted to do which is to make the world a better place to live. I think he really enjoys thinking about a better home, and I hope he will finally reach his goal, by making people reflect specially the ones who are not making an effort like he did.

Sources from: www.myhero.com

Page created on 2/3/2005 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 2/3/2005 12:00:00 AM

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.