BEST-SELLING CHILD POET CHOSEN AS 2002
MDA NATIONAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 4, 2001 — Mattie J.T. Stepanek, 11, of Upper Marlboro, Md., has been named the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2002 National Goodwill Ambassador.

Mattie and his mother, Jeni, will represent the families served by MDA in a variety of ways in 2002, including appearances at fund-raisers and meetings of national MDA sponsors. Mattie will be featured in MDA promotional materials used nationwide, and is scheduled to appear on the 2002 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.

The national spotlight won’t be new to Mattie, who has been riding a spectacular wave of recognition in recent months as a best-selling author and a young man with a captivating personality.

Mattie’s second book of poetry, Journey Through Heartsongs, has recently been listed as high as No. 8 on The New York Times hardcover fiction best-seller list. Meanwhile, Heartsongs, his first book, has climbed to No. 7 on the paperback list.

The insightful poems are poignant, upbeat, philosophical and sometimes humorous. Mattie’s been a poet since he was a pre-schooler.

Following a dramatic appearance in the closing minutes of this year’s MDA Telethon on Labor Day, Mattie has recently been featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Good Morning America." His story has been chronicled in major newspapers nationwide, and an article about him is scheduled for an upcoming issue of People magazine.

Upon announcing his selection, MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said Mattie’s courage, character and wisdom set him apart.

"This young man has an amazing spirit that has already touched so many people, and he shows wisdom far beyond his 11 years," Lewis said. "He has been very successful in spreading his own message of peace and faith, and now it will be an honor to work with him to help spread the word about MDA’s mission."

Mattie, who is the 2001 MDA Goodwill Ambassador for Maryland, has mitochondrial myopathy, a rare neuromuscular disease that causes generalized muscle weakness, breathing and heart problems.

His mother is also affected by the disease, which took the lives of his two brothers and his sister. Mattie and Jeni both use power wheelchairs for mobility, and Mattie uses a ventilator to assist with his breathing.

Mattie will succeed Sarah Schwegel, an 8-year-old from Kirkwood, Mo., who is serving as the 2001 MDA National Goodwill Ambassador.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.