First published 2010
Jeni Stepanek opens her heart to share the remarkable journey of raising her son Mattie, who was born with Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy. Doctors urged her to place him in an institution, but she chose a different path. She watched Mattie transform his physical struggles into something beautiful. He created the concept of Heartsongs, his term for the inner spirit that drives each person. Despite losing three older children to the same disease and managing her own disabilities, Jeni supported Mattie as he wrote poetry that would eventually become bestselling books. The boy caught the attention of major figures like Oprah Winfrey and Jimmy Carter, who called him extraordinary. Mattie's philosophy centered on peace starting within individuals and spreading outward to change the world. Through all the medical challenges and family losses, he maintained an optimistic outlook that touched millions. This is the story of a mother's dedication and a child's ability to find light in darkness.
Genres: family-life, medical, non-fiction, biography-memoir, inspirational, disability
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
344 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group
Content warnings: terminal-illness