Mattie J.T. Stepanek

Mattie J.T. Stepanek began writing poetry and short stories
at the age of three. Some of his works explore the
uncensored reality of living with a rare form of muscular
dystrophy, and with the grief associated with the loss of
his three siblings to the same life-threatening condition.
In 2001, Mattie served as the Maryland State Goodwill
Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2002,
he will serve as both the National Ambassador and the State
Ambassador for the MDA. He lived with his mother, Jeni, in
Upper Marlboro, MD, where he was home schooled.