Mattie Stepanek, 13, died from complications of dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Stepanek was a young advocate for the disease. Stepanek wrote poems, which were compiled into poetry books called “Heartsongs.”

Rockville’s Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park is a special park with statues of Mattie Stepanek. It is located Gaither Road and Piccard Drive in Rockville’s King Farm community. The park is 26 acre big and its Peace Garden has bricks, and benches with quotes from Mattie Stepanek’s poetry. Mattie’s mother, Jeni Stepanek, has visited the park.

Jeni Stepanek photo.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 7:16 am and is filed under Gossip.