Poet Mattie Stepanek, 13, Dies

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Registered: 03-18-2000
Poet Mattie Stepanek, 13, Dies
5
Tue, 06-22-2004 - 9:14pm





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Poet Mattie Stepanek, 13, Dies

June 22, 2004


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/22/national/main625479.shtml


Mattie Stepanek, the child poet whose inspirational verse made him a best-selling writer and a prominent muscular dystrophy advocate, died Tuesday from complications of the disease. He was 13.

Mattie died at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, the hospital said.

"Mattie was something special, something very special," Muscular Dystrophy Association National Chairman Jerry Lewis said in a statement. "His example made people want to reach for the best within themselves. It was easy to forget how sick he was because his megawatt personality just made you want to smile.

Mattie had dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a genetic disease that impaired almost all of his body's major functions, such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and digestion, and caused muscle weakness.

His mother, Jeni, 44, has the adult-onset form of the disease, and his three older siblings died of it in early childhood.

Mattie began writing poetry at age 3 to cope with the death of a brother. In 2001, a small Virginia publisher issued a slim volume of his poems, called "Heartsongs." Within weeks, the book reached the top of The New York Times best-seller list, the MDA said.

He wrote four other books: "Journey Through Heartsongs," "Hope Through Heartsongs," "Celebrate Through Heartsongs" and "Loving Through Heartsongs."

Mattie's poems brought him admirers including TV talks show host Oprah Winfrey and former President Jimmy Carter and made him one of the best-selling poets in recent years.

Mattie was profiled last year in The Early Show series on American heros. He said back then he knew he had accomplished a lot.

"I've gotten books published. I've met famous people that are very nice," he recollected. "I look back and I say, 'Wow. Thank you, God, for giving me this gift. And thank you for helping me to keep going.'"

cl-Libraone~

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 8:59am
I heard about this on the news this morning and my heart is very heavy today. I truly believe Mattie was an angel, put here on earth to make us all appreciate what we have and to show us that no matter what life deals you, it's your attitude that's most important. I am sad, but I know Mattie's feeling great now and he can continue his work as a peacemaker. R.I.P, sweet angel...

"Without music, life is a journey through the desert"...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-18-2004
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 9:33am
Brave little guy. It is amazing how courageous and strong a child can be. Makes his death even more sad, if that is possible.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 12:12pm

What a brave and inspiring young man.



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Wed, 06-23-2004 - 12:16pm

I have one of his books of poems it's amazing a child could be so insightful.


What a wise spirit in a childs body.

cl-Libraone~

 


Photobucket&nbs

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-28-2004
Mon, 06-28-2004 - 11:58am
I never met him in person but he shined through the television. He achieved so much in such a little amount of time. Some people in their 40s and 50s are still trying to find the peace that he had. He will truly be missed but it is nice to know that he is somewhere better. My prayers go to his mom and his family. He has touched the lives of so many people. If more people were like Mattie the world would be a better place.