Name: Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek - He liked to be called Mattie.
Birth Date: July 17, 1990
Died: June 22, 2004
Disability: Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy - Interrupts autonomic, or automatic, functioning (for example, breathing, heartrate, blood pressure, body temperature, digestion, utilization of oxygen...) Rare form of Muscular Dystrophy
Known for: Mattie was an incredible public speaker and writer. He wrote poetry since he was three years old. He has had five books published and some of them were on the bestsellers list of the New York Times.
Faith: Mattie was a Roman Catholic who had a strong belief in God. He invited everyone to pray to God no matter what religion they were. Mattie is known for saying he wasn't afraid of death because he knew where he was going.
More about Mattie: After being in the hospital since March 2004 due to complications from his disability, Mattie died on June 22, 2004 at Children's National Medical Center in Washington. He was only 13, but lived a life full of hope and peace. He set goals for himself and met as many as he could. He wrote five volumes of poetry, gave many speeches, met famous people, talked on the Oprah Winfrey show, and even met Jimmy Carter.
Mattie should be remembered as a poet who touched many lives. Luckily, through his books, he'll keep on inspiring people and spreading the message of peace and God's love.
Mattie had three older siblings who died from the same disability. His mother, Jeni, has the adult form of it. The death of one of his siblings inspired Mattie to write poetry at the age of three. He felt anger, sadness, and confusion. Poetry gave him an outlet.
His poetry speaks of angels, God, love, peace, and hope. Mattie was close to God and believed he was here and alive for a reason, even if it wasn't a long life. Mattie and his mother went to Mass and were active in their parish.
Mattie was homeschooled after the age nine. He was working on eleventh grade material before he died. He even took a few college courses. Mattie told people to pray despite their religious beliefs. He reminded people that God does exist and He lives within us.
some mattie info
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.
Jim Hawkins wrote this entry about Mattie in the MY HERO guestbook in 1996: "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!"
"I want people to know my life philosophy, to remember to play after every storm." — Mattie Stepanek
poems
From the book Journey Through Heartsongs, by Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Our eyes are for looking at things, But they are also for crying When we are very happy or very sad. Our ears are for listening, But so are our hearts. Our noses are for smelling food, But also the wind and the grass and If we try very hard, butterflies. Our hands are for feeling, But also for hugging and touching so gently. Our mouths and tongues are for tasting, But also for saying words, like "I love you," and "Thank You, God. For all of these things."
pray
A Prayer for Mattie
"I am asking everyone who believes in the power of pray to join together in prayer for Mattie"
— Oprah
Name: Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek - He liked to be called Mattie.
Birth Date: July 17, 1990
Died: June 22, 2004
Disability: Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy - Interrupts autonomic, or automatic, functioning (for example, breathing, heartrate, blood pressure, body temperature, digestion, utilization of oxygen...) Rare form of Muscular Dystrophy
Known for: Mattie was an incredible public speaker and writer. He wrote poetry since he was three years old. He has had five books published and some of them were on the bestsellers list of the New York Times.
Faith: Mattie was a Roman Catholic who had a strong belief in God. He invited everyone to pray to God no matter what religion they were. Mattie is known for saying he wasn't afraid of death because he knew where he was going.
More about Mattie: After being in the hospital since March 2004 due to complications from his disability, Mattie died on June 22, 2004 at Children's National Medical Center in Washington. He was only 13, but lived a life full of hope and peace. He set goals for himself and met as many as he could. He wrote five volumes of poetry, gave many speeches, met famous people, talked on the Oprah Winfrey show, and even met Jimmy Carter.
Mattie should be remembered as a poet who touched many lives. Luckily, through his books, he'll keep on inspiring people and spreading the message of peace and God's love.
Mattie had three older siblings who died from the same disability. His mother, Jeni, has the adult form of it. The death of one of his siblings inspired Mattie to write poetry at the age of three. He felt anger, sadness, and confusion. Poetry gave him an outlet.
His poetry speaks of angels, God, love, peace, and hope. Mattie was close to God and believed he was here and alive for a reason, even if it wasn't a long life. Mattie and his mother went to Mass and were active in their parish.
Mattie was homeschooled after the age nine. He was working on eleventh grade material before he died. He even took a few college courses. Mattie told people to pray despite their religious beliefs. He reminded people that God does exist and He lives within us.
A Prayer for Mattie
"I am asking everyone who believes in the power of pray to join together in prayer for Mattie"
— Oprah