Jeni Stepakek's New Book Helps Us Remember Mattie Stepanek

Jeni Stepanek was on Good Morning America this morning to promote her new book "Messenger: The Legend of Mattie Stepanek." For those of you who do not remember Mattie or don't know about Jeni's tragic loss of her 4 children and the decline of her own health, here is a review:

Jeni Stepanek did not know she was the carrier of a rare, fatal form of muscular dystrophy. Her symptoms did not develop until after she had delivered her forth child, Mattie. One by one her 3 older children died from this horrific disease. Her husband divorced her because he could not deal with the grief. Mattie survived for many years and became a poet, humanitarian and peacemaker. He authored several books of his poems including "Loving Through Heartsongs", "Celebrate Through Heartsongs" and "Hope Through Heartsongs". Mattie was confined to a wheelchair and on a respirator the last several years of his life but this didn't stop him from spreading his beliefs of love, hope and world peace. He was a regular guest on Oprah, Larry KingLarry King and Good Morning America. Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter was his idol and the two of them were brought together by Chris Cuomo on Good Morning America.

When Mattie Stepanek lost his battle with MD a few years ago, his friends Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey and Jimmy Carter spoke at his funeral. Jimmy Carter told us that while he was President and since, he has met many great people but nobody he has ever met was as great as Mattie Stepanek. The Jerry LewisJerry Lewis Telethon still uses Mattie's story to raise funds to find a cure for the terrible disease that took Mattie's life, the life of his 3 siblings and has his mother confined to a wheelchair and respirator while still fighting her battle with the disease.

Jeni Stepanek's book is full of memories of Mattie. It is humorous, inspiratonal and heartwrenching. It is a must read for everybody and would make a great Christmas gift.