Young poet inspires America

Mattie Stepanek has written three poetry books

By Washington correspondent Stephen Sackur

America's latest best-selling author is Mattie Stepanek - an 11-year-old boy with a remarkable story.

Mattie has the incurable disease muscular dystrophy. But his condition has not prevented him writing poems since he was three.

Mattie has sold more than a million copies of his three books, Journeys Through Heartsongs, Heartsongs and Hope Through Heartsongs.

He lives in Maryland, and writes poems about his life - including the fact that he lost three siblings to muscular dystrophy - nature and his dreams.

Jeni Stepanek also has muscular dystrophy

Despite his success, Mattie is modest about his talents.

"I didn't even know it was poetry at first. I just told it. Then I learnt it was poetry and my dream was to get it published," he says.

Mattie has signed up with one of America's biggest publishers. His mother Jeni Stepanek, who also has muscular dystrophy, manages the growing Mattie phenomenon.

Mrs Stepanek says her son knows that he will most probably die from his illness but until then he just wants to write.

"He is living until the very end whether that be within a year or five. And even when something happens to him, his message, his life and spirit will carry on because he has touched the world," says Mrs Stepanek.

Fans

Evidence that Mattie's courage inspires others is obvious at his book signings. One woman at a recent event said he was an example to everyone.

"I'm going through a hard time right now and I'm thinking that if this little kid can write this stuff and do what he is doing then I can get a grip," she said.

Mattie writes about the issues that touch the world

And among Mattie's biggest fans is former US president Jimmy Carter, who collaborated on Journeys Through Heartsongs.

"One of my greatest ambitions was to meet Mattie," said Mr Carter.

"He has inspired the whole country to remember what peace and love is."

And the admiration is mutual as Mattie describes the former leader as his "perfect hero".

Back home in Maryland and away from the hype, Mattie's life is governed by medicines and his ever-present oxygen supply.

But he carries on writing about the things that matter to world and especially America, including most recently the terrible events of 11 September.