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Thread: Mattie

  1. #1
    Veteran Member Pisces3x3's Avatar
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    Default Mattie

    Mattie J. T. Stepanek, who published five volumes of poetry and became an advocate for people with muscular dystrophy, died yesterday in Washington. He was 13 and lived in Rockville, Md.

    The cause was complications of the disease, the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced. Mattie was the association's national good-will ambassador from 2002 through 2004.

    Mattie had dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that impaired almost all of his body's major functions, like heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and digestion, and caused muscle weakness. His mother, Jeni Stepanek, 44, has the adult-onset form of the disease, and his three older siblings died of the disease in early childhood.

    Mattie began writing poetry at 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 was on the New York Times best-seller list, and he soon appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show and on "Good Morning America."

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

    You think you know... but you have no idea!

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re:Mattie

    I heard about this yesterday. It's so very sad. All you had to do was look at that little guy for a second, and he'd steal your heart.

    His light will shine on through his work forever, though he will be very missed all the same.


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    Veteran Member Pisces3x3's Avatar
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    Default Re:Mattie

    Mattie had such life to him... I can't believe he passed away. I remember seeing him on TV and when I read the news I was just like OMG. He was only 13 and he cherished everyday he was alive. I think he sets a good example... live life to the fullest! He had 3 life wishes... to have his poetry published, discuss world peace with former president Jimmy Carter and talk to Oprah & Rosie O&#039onnel. Makes you really think about how precious life is.

    By the way the article above was in the New York Times.

    **edited to add**

    He accomplished all three of his lifes wishes in 2001.
    You think you know... but you have no idea!

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    God/dess Rhiannon's Avatar
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    Default Re:Mattie

    Yep. I'm so glad he lived out his wishes. I actually saw him when he was on Oprah. I find it hard to usually sit through the whole hour of her shows, but for that one, I couldn't tear myself away.

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