"A New Hope for Peace: It's Not a Fairytale"
Jeni Stepanek, an award winning writer, is a noted advocate for childrens, patients and families need and rights in health and education, and author of the new book Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek and Heartsongs. She has her BA in Psychology and Journalism and her Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Maryland. Jenis message about disability, hospice, family support, parenting, writing, motivation and spirituality has been carried by all media outlets. Like her son, the late bestselling poet Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Jeni is forced to battle a rare neuromuscular disease. A noted guest on Good Morning America, Oprah, Larry King and The MDA Labor Day Telethon, Mattie created poetry from age 3 until he passed away in 2004 at age 13. The Stepaneks have a special relationship with the Muscular Dystrophy Association; Mattie served 3 years as their National Goodwill Ambassador and Jeni currently serves as the National Vice President. She also serves as the Executive Director for the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation and Governor for the We Are Family Foundation. She lives in Rockville, MD near the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, with their service dog, Micah. For more information visit mattieonline.com
About TEDx, x=independently organize event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-
organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.
At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep
discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized
events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event.
The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but
individual TEDx events are self-organized.*
(*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
