I am thrilled to invite you set your reminder here to listen to Jeni Stepanek Ph.D. on The Soul Salon Radio Program on September 7th, 2010 at 1pm Eastern. Her guest spot is timely as it will be the day after the National Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.  Jeni has graciously agreed to  share her time with The Soul Salon listeners after what will surely be a remarkable weekend with her co-hosting the DC broadcast of the MDA telethon.  Remember if you cannot catch the show live come back and listen to the archive 24/7 from anywhere in the world.  The program will also be available as a free podcast on Itunes after it airs live. This day will also mark the release of Messenger in Paperback (Dutton). Also, take a peek at a post I wrote about Mattie a few months ago. What a kid.  Below you will find some slightly edited/modified text from the Editorial Review section of this book on Amazon… Pick up your copy of Messenger and be inspired.

Jeni Stepanek is the mother of Mattie Stepanek, the New York Times bestselling author, poet, peace-maker and humanitarian, who passed away in 2004 to Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy. His mom Jeni lost three other children to that same neuromuscular disease and has the adult-onset form herself. She holds a doctorate in early childhood special education and is an award-winning speaker. Her book Messenger is an inspiring and personal look into life with Mattie who embodied the best of human nature, touched millions, and worked tirelessly for peace.

Oprah Winfrey has called him “an inspiration,” Maya Angelou saw him as a kindred sprit and fellow poet, and Jimmy Carter described Mattie Stepanek as “the most remarkable person I have ever known.”  Six years after his death from a rare neuromuscular disease, Mattie is still being celebrated for his indomitable spirit and message of hope.

In Messenger, Mattie’s mother, Jeni Stepanek, recounts the years before Mattie got sick; how he handled the loss of his siblings from the same disease he had; his decision to spread the message of peace and hope; and how, when he became a celebrity, Jeni helped to keep him grounded, and remember to embrace being a kid. Including never-before- seen poems, journal entries, photos, and correspondence with famous friends, Messenger is an inspirational book about a life lived to the fullest.

Visit MattieOnline.com for inspiration and smiles.

All the best!

Rena M. Reese

Founder, Soul Salon International

Rena Reese
http://mysoulsalon.com/

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