Mattie jt stepanek biography

In these poems he explores disability, despair, and death but also the gifts he finds in nature, prayer, peace, and his belief in something "bigger and better than the here and now. In the words of Mattie's mother, Jeni Stepanek, who is publishing Reflections of a Peacemaker at her son's request, "In reading these poems we enter Mattie's world and gain insight through a child who somehow balanced pain and fear with optimism and faith.

Mattie J. Stepanek, a year-old boy, made a difference before he died with his Heartsongs poetry. He continues to impact the world through Just Peace. This poet, best-selling author, peace activist, and prominent voice for the Muscular Dystrophy Association fervently believed in and promoted world peace not just as a concept, but as a reality.

Mattie was working on this manuscript with Jimmy Carter when he died in June His mother, Jeni, who edited the material and wrote a preface for the book is publishing it at her son's request. Just Peace explores Mattie's concept of the world and all people as a unique mosaic of gifts. War and injustice shatter the mosaic, which can only be made whole again by planning and actively pursuing peace.

The young visionary's essays, poetry, and photographs appear throughout the book. Jimmy Carter has written a special foreword and forthword for the book. Just as important to the book and enlightening to the reader are Mattie's many correspondences. The Nobel Peace Prize winner met Mattie, considered him an angel, messenger, and hero in his own right, and was genuinely affected by Mattie's passion and drive.

The condition was unknown until his mother was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease inafter all four of the children had been born. Stepanek was a poet and speaker. He wrote six volumes of bestselling Heartsongs mattie jt stepanek biography books, and a collection of peace essays that also became a bestseller. It debuted at number on the Billboard and at number 15 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Shortly after Stepanek's death inthe non-profit Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation was established by a group of citizens in Rockville, Maryland, where Stepanek had lived. On October 21,the Mattie J. Central to the park is its Peace Garden, which has a design based on the peace imagery Stepanek used in his book of essays Just Peace: A Message of Hope.

In the Peace Garden there is a life-size bronze statue of Stepanek and his service dog, Micah, surrounded by chess tables. On June 6,a performance of Heartsongs took place at Carnegie Hall.

Mattie jt stepanek biography

It featured Stepanek's poetry, set to music by composer Joseph Martin. The music was performed by members of Distinguished Concerts Singers International—including its Children's Choir—under the direction of conductor Stephen Roddy. InOprah Winfrey named Stepanek as one of her all-time most memorable guests in the year history of her show.

Mattie convinced Oprah not to retire from her show on its 20th anniversary, saying by email that the show was "good for the mattie jt stepanek biography and good for [Oprah]". In JulyBen Cardina junior United States senator from Maryland, joined Mikulski in introducing Senate Resolutionwhich was approved by the Senate and which honors Stepanek's life and peace legacy.

Stepanek Guild was officially initiated. The purpose of the guild is to gather information and investigate Stepanek's life for the possible cause of canonization in the Catholic Church. It was con-celebrated by several priests from the Archdiocese of Washington. After his death, the Mattie J. Stepanek Foundation was established in his honor.

Mattie Stepanek was born in s. The s is often remembered as a decade of peace, prosperity and the rise of the Internet World Wide Web. Oh, and the Soviet Union fell and boy bands ruled the music charts. Discover what happened on this day. Millennials is a generation who grew up with computers, internet and social networks. Having been raised under the mantra "follow your dreams" and being told they were special, they tend to be confident and tolerant of difference.

Please check back soon for updates. Shortly after Mattie's death, citizens in his King Farm neighborhood of Rockville, Maryland, established the volunteer-based, non-profit Mattie J. Stepanek Foundation with the mission of making Mattie's message accessible to everyone. One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to create curricula programs to support teachers in helping students of all ages understand Mattie's concept of Heartsongs, and embrace his "Three Choices for Peace".

Thousands of people have joined the Foundation as members of "Mattie's Peace Network" and in support of the "Pathways to Peace" programs. Mattie's poem has been translated into dozens[quantify] of languages now, from Albanian to Zulu. InMattie's Peace Club a Foundation membership with categories for people of all ages and a Peace Certification Program were both launched.

In a two-room "Peace is Possible" exhibit dedication to Mattie's message of hope and peace was opened at the Children's Peace Pavilion in Independence, Missouri. The Pavilion offers a membership program called Peace Champions inspired by his work. Stepanek Intergenerational Caregiving Scholarshipwhich is given to four individuals each year.

Thus far, more than 15 million people[quantify] worldwide have been directly and positively[neutrality is disputed] impacted by the peace projects created by the Global Teen Leaders who have participated in the Just Peace Summit see www.