In Memoriam: Mattie Stepanek (1990-2003)
Obsessed, I suppose, with my own illness, recovery, and activities, I failed to realize that poet, peacemaker, and advocate Mattie Stepanek passed from the world this summer until I saw a tribute on Oprah today. Mere weeks away from his 14 th birthday when he died on June 22nd, Mattie was a lively, active, opinionated young man with a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. In his short life, Mattie authored several books, appeared on the Oprah Show, met former President Jimmy Carter, and was a three... Sign in to see full entry.