FEDERAL AGENCY TO HONOR MDA
NATIONAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

TUCSON, Ariz., October 29, 2003 — Mattie J.T. Stepanek, National Goodwill Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will be honored on Oct. 30 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) for his humanitarian endeavors.

Stepanek is one of seven individuals and corporations to be recognized in a Washington ceremony by HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson to commemorate October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

At age 13, Stepanek already is a world-renowned poet whose Heartsongs books have regularly appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list. He is being honored by HHS as “a youth who through his poetry has provided hope to children with disabilities around the world.”

In his role as National Goodwill Ambassador, Mattie represents families served by MDA at national and local events to spread the word about MDA and its mission.

Mattie has mitochondrial myopathy, a genetic neuromuscular disorder that causes muscle weakness and difficulty regulating body functions such as his heart rate and breathing. He uses a power wheelchair.

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.

For more information about MDA's research and services, call (800) 572-1717 or go to www.mda.org.