WEB NEWS RELEASE
Mattie and Jeni Stepanek (courtesy of the Muscular Dystrophy Association)
COLLEGE PARK, MD (April 2009) - Special Education alumna Jennifer Stepanek (Ph.D., '08; M.Ed., '00) has signed with Dutton publishers to write a book about her son Mattie -- New York Times bestselling author and humanitarian -- who passed away in 2004 from Dysautonomic Mitochrondrial Myopathy at the age of 13.
"Not a day goes by when I don't receive emails and letters saying that Mattie's poetry and speeches are not enough," said Stepanek. "People want to know about him directly and intimately. I am thrilled to have joined with Dutton so that I can now tell all his fans the full story behind my son."
Mattie is best known for his Heartsongs series of poetry. The six collections, and a book of essays on peace that was published posthumously, have sold over 2 million copies combined. In her book, MESSENGER: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs, Stepanek will cover the years before Mattie got sick, how he handled losing his older sibling to the same disease he had, and his decision to dedicate himself to helping people embrace peace and hope. It will also include previously unpublished poetry from Mattie, as well as email correspondence between him and some of his famous friends. Maya Angelou, Ph.D., will contribute a foreword for the book, due for release in November 2009.
Named the College of Education's Outstanding Doctoral Student in 2008, Stepanek is afflicted with the adult onset form of the same rare and progressive neuromuscular disease to which she lost her four children. She did much of her graduate work while fighting the disease.
"I was never judged, or limited in my goals as a doctoral student or as a parent," said Stepanek. "As a result, I not only have a doctoral degree in Early Childhood Special Education, but I also have the fondest memories of my son growing up here on campus with a wonderful extended family in this department."
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For more information on the College of Education, visit: www.education.umd.edu
or contact Halima Cherif, Assistant Director for Communications, at: hcherif@umd.edu
