|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Mattie's Friends Share
Their Thoughts
|
|
|
Comments
MDA received via e-mail -
I never met Mattie but I have his picture up in my office. He is wearing his
purple shirt with a purple ribbon around his breathing tube. I also have a
picture of him and his mom and of his 13th birthday. I have all of his books
and when I read them, the tears come. I was so devastated when I heard that he
had passed away but I also celebrated his short but meaningful life. He has
affected me by his poems to the depths of my soul. I just picture him now with
his brothers and sister living life to the fullest and celebrating after his
final storm.
Some one that came into my office asked if he was one of my grandchildren but I
said regrettably no, but he is a special person in my life.
I know Jeni will miss him terribly and I am praying that God will give her peace
of mind. She has to know that Mattie is walking with God in heaven this day and
every day, because he has prepared a special place for Mattie.
Love,
Sharon
|
 |
Su cara reflejaba vida, sin conocerle personalmente, la noticia me
ha encogido el corazon, Si el cielo existe, el sera alli un angel, y desde ahi
arriba su sonrisa y mirada nos iluminara, darle las gracias por que en su corta
vida ha enseñado mas, que el mas anciano de la tierra, y sobre todo decirte que
no te olvidare y alli donde este espero tener la suerte de volver a verte.
Gracias, y un fuerte beso a toda su familia y amigos.
Jose Luis,
ESPAÑA
|
|
|
I was saddened by the passing of Mattie. He sure brought a lot of smiles while
he was here on earth. I love to listen to Billy Gilman's CD, Music Through
Heartsongs, but now they bring tears. The CD tells so much about Mattie's life.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Now he is with his sibblings and
not suffering any more.
Paul,
Palm Desert, Calif.
|
|
 |
Mattie and Jerry Lewis
|
Dear Mattie & family,
I was so sad to hear you've passed on! :(. I stand in awe of your day-by-day
struggle for survival.
I'm speechless at the wonder and wisdom of your poetry and spirit. Were
you to be the Mozart of poetry? I think so!
You will be missed by so many, many people! The world will be a little
darker and colder without you.
"Is it the sun that warms my face?
Is it the moon & stars which light my way in the dark?
Is it the wind who wraps around me?
No, it is YOU who are with me in all ways!"
Hardly up to your caliber but I offer my attempt at prose in your memory.
God bless you and your family,
Joe, 44 yrs. old, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease,
honored to be with you as one of "Jerry's kids"
|
|
I feel that I am fortunate to have known Mattie. When I heard that Mattie would
be the guest of honor of the Heartsongs Gala at The Fairmont Washington D.C., I
thought once again how much I love my job.
When Mattie and Jeni checked into the hotel, they were so wonderful. All of our
staff loved them. I made sure that In Room Dining delivered Cheetos to their
room especially for Mattie when I heard that he loved Cheetos.
Mattie did a great speech at the Gala and he raised a lot of money. I was very
emotional when he said "I may not be there [at the camp] this summer,
but.....". I did not think that I would be writing this e-mail then.
No one who knew him could ever forget his charm and warmth. Mattie will be
missed by many. And, I will remember to play after every storm.
Yesim,
Catering Manager
The Fairmont Washington D.C.
|
|
Mattie had been on my mind ever since I had seen him on Oprah. When I had the
chance to get him to come to do a public appearance at the Kennedy Center, I
was excited. He is such an inspiration to all people. I saw Mattie the
12-year-old, not Mattie with an ailment. He is such a character and had me
laughing the entire time that he was not with a fan. He is definitely an angel
and now he has his wings.
Takina,
Washington, D.C.
|
|
|
God gives us many gifts during our lifetime. Thank you God for giving us the
gift of Mattie. His short stay in this world has touched us, has changed us,
has inspired us, and the impact of his positive hopeful spirit will forever
shine brightly.
Carrie,
Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
If we all did 10 percent of the good that Mattie did, this old world would be a
much nicer place.
Can you even begin to imagine that?
He made a difference, a big difference.
Jerry,
Palatka, Fla.
|
|
|
It is with great sadness and feeling that I send this e-mail in memory of a very
brave boy. I wasn't fortunate enough to have ever known Mattie, I have only
just read on the Internet about his battle with muscular dystrophy and,
tragically, his passing away at only thirteen. My thoughts and prayers are with
all his family and friends. I conclude with a small poem of my own composition.
Love,
Julie XX
Angel of Mercy, by Julie
Free as a bird, soaring up to the sky,
Angel of mercy, precious spirit fly,
Swim with the stars, by the light of the moon,
Your journey is over, you'll be there soon.
Peace shall surround you now, calm and serene,
A heavenly choir serenades your last scene,
On dewy green pastures you'll stroll in the sun,
In tranquility and beauty, now your work is done.
|
|
|
As a firefighter with IAFF Local 2195, Lee's Summit, Missouri, I want to send my
heartfelt condolences to both the Stepanek family and the MDA. Mattie will be
missed by many across the world but will never be forgotten. Mattie showed the
good in a very bad disease. He showed that inspiration and hope will take you
to new heights. Now he has soared to those new heights and will never have to
live in pain or suffering again. While I never got the chance to meet Mattie,
the past few years have been enjoyable getting to watch a boy grow into a young
man through the MDA Telethon. Going out to do the boot block to collect money
for MDA seemed to have extra meaning because of the hope that Mattie gave
everyone. His smile made everyone smile and his laughter made us all forget,
for just a second, that he was battling for his life.
So Mattie, to you I say Godspeed. May you live forever in the hearts of all
those you've helped. May the words that you've written be in the minds of all
those who've read them. You will be missed.
Randy,
Lee's Summit, Mo., Fire Dept.,
IAFF Local 2195
|
|
|
Wow, that smile could melt my heart. Mattie was always smiling, always more
optimistic than anyone else around. His eyes sparkled and his heart loved
unconditionally. But, it was his mind that fascinated me and his words that
made me stop and want to listen to what he had to say. They gave me something
to think about and gave me hope that others would stop and listen. And hope
that maybe together we could bring peace and love to this world.
Mattie J. Stepanek was a poet, a philosopher, a writer, a diplomat and a
beautiful "kid." But, most of all, he was my hero. While fighting to survive
the disease that slowly destroyed his body he chose to look beyond his own pain
and suffering and give the world a gift, the gift of his own life. He chose to
use his life for promoting peace and understanding. And even though he is gone,
his words will be with us to inspire generations to come.
Goodbye Mattie. Thank you for your 'choices'. You did make a difference. I have
learned to listen to my own Heartsong.
You will live in my heart and memory forever.
Jody,
Plano, Texas
|
|
|
I am the mother of a little fellow that also has muscular dystrophy. I remember
the first time I officially met Mattie at Camp Maria 2003. My son was SO
excited to meet him when I came for visitors day he said, "Mommy take my
picture with Mattie." So I did, and when he came home all he talked about was
camp and Mattie. How nice Mattie was and how they had the same personality but
he said, "Mommy, Mattie is way older than me." I said well we all have friends
that are different ages. Our next encounter was at the Telethon in Baltimore. I
sat and watched Mattie and how much energy he had. I thought to myself, "Oh my
goodness, How does this kid have SO MUCH ENERGY?" His mom was chasing him and
telling him to slow down because I assume he was using to much energy and she
had these boxes she had to change. As I sat back and observed it was unreal; if
I didnt know any better and was blind, I would've thought he was the healthiest
boy around. That day, once he interviewed with Jerry via camera, toward the
end, I will never forget him turning to my son and saying, "PLEASE DANCE like
you did at camp. COME ON. You will be on TV, you'll be a STAR. Please." I
chuckled to myself and said these boys are something else. My son would always
ask me to ask about Mattie, and I did, frequently. My heart goes out to
Mattie's mom, Jeni. As I sat and thought today about the interactions I have
had with Mattie, I said to myself he was sent here from above on a mission. I
don't know about you all but he has touched and inspired my child's life as
well as mine and in his 13 years he has accomplished more GOOD things on this
Earth than most.
I know that he is with the Lord in Heaven; yesterday he completed his mission
and had to leave us. I know, Mattie, you're looking at all the children at camp
this week, and even though you're not physically there, you are with each of
them in spirit, heart and soul. I must conclude to say you are an inspiration.
Jeni- You are amazing, My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chell
|
|
|
I and my family are so saddened to hear about Mattie. He was a gift from God,
and now he is an angel who can guide us. He isn't gone, he will always be right
here in my heart!
|
|
|
Mattie always found the right words to say and always saw what could be. I have
no doubt he'll be producing heart songs and pulling heart strings in heaven as
he guides and watches over us all..........Peace.
LR,
Haverhill, Mass.
|
|
|
I had the honor to speak briefly with Mattie at the International Association of
Fire Fighters MDA softball tournament in Largo, Md., one year. At the opening
ceremonies he also said a few words. This young man would have you laughing one
minute and then crying the next. I remember seeing him dancing in his
wheelchair and going to Mardi Gras with the YONKERS team. He used to talk about
fire fighters being heroes; in this fire fighters eyes, he's the hero. For all
the inspiration he gave to all who knew him. We will all miss you, Bro. Till we
meet again. GOD BLESS.
Wayne
|
|
|
To MDA-USA:
I extend my sincerest condolences on the passing of Mattie Stepanek. My prayers
and thoughts are with his family and the MDA.
As a firefighter, I had helped annually with the "Come Fill the Boot" event.
Mattie will be missed.
Sincerely,
Aaron,
Houston (Texas) Firefighter/EMT
|
|
|
A champion, fighter, goodwill ambassador, a peacemaker and a poet and very, very
special young man. This is the Mattie I knew and I'll truly miss him. I suffer
from Becker dystrophy and he made me feel special and gave me hope every time I
saw him on television. Mattie was truly sent from heaven to touch everyone in
the world, always happy and optimistic, never ever down, I'm glad he was here
with us. I love you Mattie and you've finally found your peace.
David,
Cincinnati, Ohio
|
|
|
Angels danced the day Mattie was born. Today he dances with angels. What a
difference 13 years make. Ms. Stepanek if there is any comfort in this day, it
is with the knowledge that your son gave so much joy to anyone who saw his
smile. I will miss it.
|
|
|
My thoughts and prayers go out to everybody who has been so close to Mattie.
Although, I never was able to meet this amazing little boy, he has drasticaly
impacted my life. I, too, have a child who suffers from mitochondrial disease.
Mattie's strong will and drive has helped our family cope with this horrible
disease. He truly was a gift from God; now He has a need for him back in
heaven. Bless the family of little Mattie.
Respectfully,
Carrie
|
|
 |
Mattie with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert
Grint, and Emma Watson during promotion of Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets in October, 2002 Photo courtesyDanRadcliffe.co.uk
|
To Whom it May Concern:
I would very much appreciate it if you would pass a message along to the parents
of Mattie Stepanek. We at DanRadcliffe.co.uk have posted a special message with
our heartfelt sympathy for them, and have asked our fans and staff to kindly
make a contribution to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Mattie's name.
We remember Mattie from when he appeared on the "Oprah Show" in Octobe 2002 and
was presented a Wand by Daniel Radcliffe from the set of "Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets." If you could kindly let them know that we've posted the
following message on our site at
http://www.danradcliffe.co.uk/newsupdates.htm I would greatly
appreciate it.
"With Heartfelt Sympathy
Our hearts and prayers are with the Stepanek family today. Mattie Stepanek,
13-year-old poet and peacemaker passed away today. Mattie had muscular
dystrophy. You might remember Mattie being presented a Wand from the set of
'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' on the 'Oprah Show' in October 2002.
Dan presented him with his wand. He was also known to be a 'pen-pal' with J. K.
Rowling. Please consider making a donation in Mattie's name to the Muscular
Dystrophy Association."
Kind Regards,
Page, Webmaster
DanRadcliffe.co.uk
|
|
|
|
