Readers will learn a valuable lesson through this biography, that some young heroes leave this world far too soon, but not without carving out a place of remembrance in our hearts, and not without creating the change they sought for their causes. Mattie wanted to be remembered as "a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who played." Before his death, he had become known as a peace advocate and motivational speaker. His three older siblings died from dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy, which he also developed. This rare condition was unknown until his mother was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease in 1992, after her children were born. During his brief life, he enthusiastically participated in fundraising events to help find a cure for neuromuscular diseases, and to encourage children and families suffering from these diseases to celebrate life until a cure is found. He wrote thousands of poems, and praised our need to seek and establish Peace.