Home > About Mattie J.T. Stepanek
About Mattie J.T. Stepanek
“When people hear my name, I hope to be known, and one day remembered, as a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.”
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
“When people hear my name,
I hope to be known, and one day remembered, as
a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played.”
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Mattie's Story
Matthew Joseph Thaddeus Stepanek, known as Mattie, believed that peace is possible. He shared that peace begins when we are okay with who and how we are as a person – despite differences or challenges. Peace then grows when we choose to make peace and okayness something that matters not only for ourselves, but also for others.
Despite being born with a rare, life-threatening neuromuscular disease, Mattie lived by his philosophy to celebrate life: “Remember to play after every storm!” From the age of 3, he began sharing messages of hope and peace through poetry, art, and speeches.
Mattie believed that many of the messages he shared were placed in his heart by God – and intended “for all people.” He was gifted with a talent for “shaping and sharing words – through poetry, essays, speeches, prayers, and every day conversation – and faithfully celebrated his purpose in life as a “messenger of hope and peace.
At the age of 5, Mattie’s first book – “Heartsongs” – introduced the concept that each person has a unique purpose within, meant to be shared in harmony with others. This book, filled with his poetry and finger paintings, won first place in a local school festival and became the first of his seven NY Times bestsellers.
He served as a three-term National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a lector and catechist in his church, and appeared on prominent television shows such as Oprah, Larry King Live, and Good Morning America.
Today, the timeless and universal messages in Mattie’s books and interviews continue to inspire countless people around to world to find their own Heartsongs and to embrace peace as a purposeful choice.
Mattie’s Message of Peace Touched Millions
Mattie’s messages of hope and peace profoundly impacted and inspired people diverse in age and ability and aspiration and faith.
He became a frequent guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show & Good Morning America, and his frequent interviews by Larry King and Chris Cuomo earned Emmy nominations and awards.
Former President Jimmy Carter – who was inspired by Mattie’s faith and perseverance – became a close friend. And his book signing and speaking events were attended by hundreds – or even thousands.
Mattie's Message
“A Heartsong is our inner beauty – our sense of why we are here and how we can keep going. We each have a Heartsong, rooted in purpose, or our reason for being.”
“A Heartsong is our inner beauty – our sense of
why we are here and how we can keep going.
We each have a Heartsong, rooted in purpose,
or our reason for being.”
“Think about what matters to you, deeply.
That is a root of your Heartsong. Share that with others through talents, hobbies, and things that come natural to you.
That essence that matters will circle
back to you. That is how a Heartsong is real-ized.”
“Think about what matters to you, deeply.
That is a root of your Heartsong.
Share that with others through talents,
hobbies, and things that come natural to you.
That essence that matters will circle
back to you. That is how a Heartsong is real-ized.”
“If a person cannot hear their own Heartsong because life has been too loud or dark or difficult for their spirit, then we should offer to let them borrow ours until their own is re-awakened.”
“If a person cannot hear their own Heartsong
because life has been too loud or dark or difficult
for their spirit, then we should offer to let them
borrow ours until their own is re-awakened.”
“When we share, accept, and
celebrate Heartsongs in harmony,
all these unique treasures of ‘I am…’
come together to shape ‘we are…’
and the amazing mosaic of humanity.”
“When we share, accept, and
celebrate Heartsongs in harmony,
all these unique treasures of ‘I am…’
come together to shape ‘we are…’
and the amazing mosaic of humanity.”
Mattie’s Story & Legacy Have Been Featured Worldwide
These are just a few of the hundreds of places where his impact has been shared.
Playlist
Talk show host Larry King was nominated for an Emmy for one of his many interviews with Mattie. In reflecting on Mattie’s life, he said, “Every once in a while, life introduces you to somebody who helps put everything else into perspective. Someone who reminds you that your problems are not such a big deal. Someone who makes you want to count your blessings and try to do your best every minute of every day. Mattie Stepanek was one of those rare somebodies.”
Oprah Winfrey referred to Mattie – who was a frequent guest on her talk show and named as one of her top three all-time most memorable guests – as “one of the greatest lights to ever grace our stage… he dared to play after every storm… I believe he was a prophet for our times who just happened to be dressed in little boy clothes.”
Former President Jimmy Carter and Mattie became close friends and confidants, and collaborated on a book together. In his eulogy, President Carter said, “we have known kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, but the most extraordinary person whom I have ever known in my life is Mattie Stepanek.”
Journalist Chris Cuomo won a Primetime Emmy for his 2001 “Magic of Mattie” segment. In 2019, he chose Mattie as his “Champion of Change” – calling him “the little light that shone so bright after 9/11” and “the best person I have ever interviewed.”
A Few Highlights of Mattie’s Awards
Mattie has been honored with awards and citations for his humanitarian efforts. His legacy extends beyond his lifetime, with schools, libraries, and awards named in his honor.
Youth/Young Adult Leadership Award
2013
National Catholic Partnership on Disability
Highest Honor Humanitarian Award
2005
US Department of Health & Human Services
Peacemaker Award
2005
We Are Family Foundation
Natalie Heineman Humanitarian Award
2005
Child Welfare League of America
Lifetime Achievement Award
2004
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Goodwill Ambassador
2004, 2003, 2002
Muscular Dystrophy Association
And Yet, Mattie Was Just a Kid
Despite his profound impact and widespread recognition, Mattie was still an everyday kid.
He enjoyed playing, his service dog Micah, ice cream, sports, and birthdays!
Mattie’s Impact Today
Today, Mattie’s messages of hope and peace live on through his namesake Foundation, inspiring new generations to embrace peace, purpose, and play.
Peace
Purpose
Play
Peace
Purpose
Play
He may not know everything, but he knows so much about life to be so young, and so wise. To know that the heart makes the rules about living well. And that does not mean living without pain… it means being in love, loving, daring to love.
Maya Angelou
World-Renowned Poet, Memoirist, Singer, Dancer, Actress, and Civil Rights Activist
He will change your life; he changed mine. In a time when this world’s at war, this boy makes more sense than a lot of world leaders.
Larry King
TV & Radio Show Host and Commentator
Mattie’s message is clear. It’s needed, it’s inspiring, it’s believable, it’s doable. What more could we need to make peace our choice?
Nile Rodgers
Grammy Award Winning Musician & Co-Founder of the We Are Family Foundation
When I began to read Mattie’s words, I was stunned… his example made people want to reach for the best within themselves.
Jerry Lewis
Muscular Dystrophy Association Chair, Actor, Comedian
I am reminded of how much we have to learn from Mattie’s legacy. His work as a young peace ambassador is more relevant today, than ever.
Sydney Katz with Max Uy
Montgomery County (Maryland) Council Member (Former President) with Sheriff Maxwell Uy
Mattie will always be one of the brightest lights to ever grace our stage and the planet… Mattie was, is, a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher, who dared to play after every storm.
Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Producer, Actress, Author, Media Proprietor, & Humanitarian
He may not know everything, but he knows so much about life to be so young, and so wise. To know that the heart makes the rules about living well. And that does not mean living without pain… it means being in love, loving, daring to love.
Maya Angelou
World-Renowned Poet, Memoirist, Singer, Dancer, Actress, and Civil Rights Activist
He will change your life; he changed mine. In a time when this world’s at war, this boy makes more sense than a lot of world leaders.
Larry King
Radio and Television Personality, Actor, and Interviewer
Mattie’s message is clear. It’s needed, it’s inspiring, it’s believable, it’s doable. What more could we need to make peace our choice?
Nile Rodgers
Grammy Award Winning Musician & We Are Family Foundation Co-Founder
When I began to read Mattie’s words, I was stunned… his example made people want to reach for the best within themselves.
Jerry Lewis
Muscular Dystrophy Association Chair, Actor, Comedian
I am reminded of how much we have to learn from Mattie’s legacy. His work as a young peace ambassador is more relevant today, than ever.
Sydney Katz with Max Uy
Montgomery County (Maryland) Council Member (Former President) with Sheriff Maxwell Uy
Mattie will always be one of the brightest lights to ever grace our stage and the planet… Mattie was, is, a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher, who dared to play after every storm.
Oprah Winfrey
Talk Show Host, Producer, Actress, Author, & Humanitarian
Come Experience Mattie’s Messages at His Park in Rockville, MD
The 27 acre Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park and Peace Garden in Rockville, MD has ball fields and courts, picnic and playground areas, walking trails, a dog park, meditative labyrinth, and more. A life-size bronze statue of Mattie and his service dog, Micah, sits in the Peace Garden area with chess tables, a “mosaic of gift bricks” (bricks sponsored each year by local and global neighbors), and a sound post where visitors can listen to Mattie sharing poetry and peace thoughts.
Mattie’s Spiritual Legacy and the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild
While Mattie’s Foundation continues his vision and mission of peace, a separate non-profit organization, Mattie Matters – Mattie J.T. Stepanek Guild, is gathering information about Mattie’s impact in our world for his possible Cause of Canonization, or sainthood, in the Catholic Church.
Want to Learn More About Mattie’s Life and Legacy?
FAQs
Curious about Mattie’s favorite color, his hobbies, his feelings about disability, his role models for life? Check out our FAQ pages.
Mattie’s Virtual Museum
Explore everything Mattie – from places he lived & learned, to his toys & hobbies, to examples of his legacy in action today.
Mama Peace Interactive
Have a virtual conversation with Jeni, Mattie’s mom and Foundation Founding Chair & President, to learn more about Mattie, Mama Peace, and the Foundation programs.