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KING: We will take a break and come back with more phone calls for Mattie Stepanek on this edition of LARRY KING LIVE. Tomorrow night, senators McCain, Feinstein and others will join us to discuss, you know what. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you like "The Lord of the Rings?"

STEPANEK: I love the movies, the books. They're all great. My favorite character, without question, is Gandalf. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING") IAN MCKELLEN, ACTOR: You shall not pass! (END VIDEO CLIP)

STEPANEK: He's just awesome. My second favorite, I like Sam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING") SEAN ASTIN, ACTOR: I made a promise, Mr. Frodo, a promise. "Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee."(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEPANEK: Favorite bad guy is, even though the ring -- the Balrog. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Balrog? (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING") MCKELLEN: Dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! (END VIDEO CLIP)

STEPANEK: I've seen "Two Towers" four, but I want to see it six. And I want to see "Return of the King" the most. I want to see "Return of the King" so bad.(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: We're back with Mattie Stepanek. Why do you love the "Lord of the Rings" so much?

STEPANEK: It is really -- "Lord of the Rings" is an amazing fantasy novel. Just reading it, it is one of those books that just so easily takes you in and just puts you in this other world.

KING: You like the movies as much as the books?

STEPANEK: I do. They are doing an amazing job with the movies.

KING: Speaking of amazing and "Loving Through Heartsongs," which is -- there's also going to be an album coming with music. We've discussed that. Mattie does his own drawings that are featured throughout this book. And I might say, they're near Grandma Moses- quality brilliant. Have you always been able to draw?

STEPANEK: The pictures in my book are all finger-paints. And I have been doing that for a long time, since I started doing these arts. But drawing with a pencil, I can't -- really, it is tough -- for me to picture something in my mind, that's easy. Drawing it isn't as easy, though, but I can copy a lot of stuff, also.

KING: All right, Mattie, let's go back to the phone calls. Rockaway Beach, Missouri, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Mattie.

STEPANEK: Hello.

CALLER: I think you a great person for other kids to look at. And my question is, what keeps you going?

STEPANEK: What keeps me going? There are a bunch of great figures in my life. And one of the things is friends, friends and family, especially my mom. And, I mean, it is always good to have someone that you lean on, a hug, say, hey, how are you doing? And they answer back, I'm doing OK, and you? And my mom, like I said, is a huge thing that keeps me going. And probably the biggest thing is God. I would not have lasted a minute, literally a minute, on this earth without God and angels by my side, because I was born. And right as I was born, I went into a respiratory arrest. So, big things that keep me going are friends and family, God. And another thing is looking forward to what's going to happen tomorrow.

KING: Rome, Georgia, for Mattie Stepanek, hello.

CALLER: Mattie, you're such an inspiration.

STEPANEK: Thank you.

CALLER: You're very welcome. And the question I have is, with your age, with your infinite wisdom being way beyond your age, year-wise, what words of comfort and advice would you offer to a family member in her early 30s who suddenly became paralyzed last year?

STEPANEK: Suddenly became -- you know, keep hoping. No one can ever give up their hope. You're basically giving up life and waiting to be taken, waiting to die, and saying: No, that's it. I'm not doing this. Just because something happens -- it's, like, I remember. I didn't always have this trach. I had it when I was a little baby. When I got back in -- I mean, I got it taken out. I'm sorry. And it was the best -- one of the best periods of life. I could -- I learned how to do flips off the diving. I got a black belt in martial arts, things I could never do attached to a trach. And then it came back in. And even though, sure, I can't flip around anymore, I keep looking forward to every day, doing something with my friends. And always look towards the sunrise. Don't look back. Remember the past. Don't dwell on it. Look towards the future, but don't count on it. And always enjoy every single second of the present.

KING: Santa Cruz, California, for Mattie Stepanek. The new book is "Loving Through Heartsongs."

Hello.

STEPANEK: Hello.

CALLER: Hello. I pray for you and your mother every night. STEPANEK: Thank you. CALLER: And I have two questions. What is your favorite subject in school? And is that doggone sore you had on the back of your head healing?

STEPANEK: Well, to your first question, in my schoolwork, my favorite subject is probably my British literature and my world history. I also enjoy my vocabulary. And to give you an honest answer, my least favorite subject is biology. And, for the second question, is that doggone sore on the back of my head gone, it is so close. It's been there for about two years now. And it is really -- it is really coming so close. I mean, we're just praying and hoping and trying to give it the best medical care we can. And it is so close to healing. But I mean, we still need lots of prayers. And the sore will go away. And, hopefully, whatever is going on in my trachea will also go away.

KING: You do karate, huh?

STEPANEK: I used to. Still, every day, I stretch. I meditate. But I used to love doing my martial arts. It was just so much fun. And I loved to do my staff routine, which is -- some people call it a bow.

KING: How long can you come out of the chair for?

STEPANEK: I can still stand a little bit. But right now, I'm really trying to limit my activity, because moving around too much might move my trachea around too much. I stand up to reach things, to transfer into another chair or a bed or to use the bathroom, just little things.

KING: Tampa, Florida, for Mattie Stepanek, hello.

CALLER: Yes, Larry. My question for Mattie is, when you go to sleep at night and you dream, do you see yourself with all the machines that have to help keep you alive or do you see yourself before then, like when you were doing the karate, as just a regular boy just running around?

KING: Yes, do you fly?

STEPANEK: In my dreams, across the years and even now, I do a lot of things. Sometimes I'm with the equipment. And sometimes I'm without. I'm just doing whatever. One night, I was dreaming that I was on the journey with the Fellowship of the Ring. And the next night, I was dreaming that I was stuck at the hospital. And sometimes I dream I'm flying. And sometimes I dream I'm falling. It is really luck of the draw when I go to sleep. I usually dream good, dream bad, or just close my eyes and then, when I open them, it is morning. But sometimes I see myself in the chair. Sometimes I see out of the chair.

KING: Ceres, California, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Mattie and Larry.

KING: Hi.CALLER: First of all, I'd like to thank Mattie for the heartsongs he's brought into my heart and my family. My question -- I have two, actually -- is, during your darkest times me
dically, Mattie, do you come up with some of your most heartfelt heartsongs?

STEPANEK: Sometimes, when I'm really having a hard time medically, I will pray and I will think. But, usually, I just pray straight to God and St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Rita and Blessed Brother Andre for just a miracle: Please help me. And sometimes I do think about my heartsongs. I think about that a lot, yes.

KING: We'll take a break and be back with more phone calls for Mattie Stepanek. Don't go away. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Is there an up and a down to this? STEPANEK: You've gone from mom to mom. Do you know how to do this? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.

STEPANEK: You can make a flash (CROSSTALK) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, can you just pretend like I got it on, because I can't do it?

STEPANEK: I should wear a tux every single day. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You would be thrilled if you got to wear a tux every single day.

STEPANEK: I would. Ah, I can't even rub your shoulders. There's things on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know what. You look nice, too, dear.

STEPANEK: I like these things. When you're done with it, can I have one of the things?UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You've grown since we measured you a week ago, I think. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Mattie at a black-tie affair.In this segment, Mattie is going to read a couple of his poems. Let's get another call in.Cape Girardeau, Missouri, hello.

CALLER: Hey, Mattie.

STEPANEK: Hello.CALLER: I got a couple of things to say before I ask my questions. I would like to say you're a real good inspiration to everybody that works the telethon, especially me.

STEPANEK: Thank you. CALLER: Because I work at the telethon every year. I'm 24. And I went to the clinic to see if I got a thing called myotonic muscular dystrophy, which is also known as Steinert's disease. And I'm lucky to know that I don't have it, but I've got to go back.

KING: What's your question, sir? CALLER: I got two questions. One is, Mattie, at what age did you get your disease? And, two, do you like working with Jerry Lewis and the telethon? STEPANEK: To answer your first question, I was born with this disease. All four of my brothers and my sister -- I'm sorry, all four of us were born with it, me and my two brothers and my sister. And my mom was born with it, but it didn't kick in until she was an adult.And to answer your second question, I love working with Jerry Lewis and everyone else at the telethon. They're great. They're fun. It is really an amazing gang to go on the air.

KING: Mattie, you want to read one of your poems before we take the next call?

STEPANEK: Yes.

KING: Go ahead.

STEPANEK: This one is called, "Seeds for Thought." "The sword is heavy, and piercing sharp. Stronger than rock, it yields a mighty blow to the foe with each assault. T he bow and arrow are light and swift. Silent war implement, it yields a surprise attack to front or back, from a distance. And yet, stronger than the sword, swifter than the arrow, are words, among the most powerful of all weapons. Words can tear and hurt and cause pain and strife. Words can heal and comfort and sow peace in life. Heed the wisdom, and use words with care.

"KING: Connecticut for Mattie Stepanek, hello.

CALLER: Hello.Hi, Mattie.

STEPANEK: Hi. CALLER: I have all your books of poetry. And I have many poems of yours that are my favorite. One of them right now is "The Daily Gift."And I my question is, are you planning to go on tour, if possible, near the East Coast, particularly Connecticut, promoting your book and peacemaking efforts? And I want to thank you, also. I'm a police officer for 15 years. And I've been through a lot. And you've opened my heart up.

KING: Wow. CALLER: To your poetry.

STEPANEK: Thank you.

CALLER: And to pray more. And it's softened up now from your poetry. And I appreciate that.

KING: Thank you, officer.Can you travel? Can you make appearances?

STEPANEK: Right now, because I'm going in the hospital, I don't know how long I'll be in there. But going on tour, once a year, I go out to the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon to California. But since it is such a long way and we really -- we have limited supplies, I really don't know if I'd ever go on a real, like, tour, stop at every city on the way. I'd love to do that. I love to explore, love the travel. But I don't know if my medical status would like that very much. But I've thought about doing that, yes.

KING: Rockford, Illinois, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Mattie. First of all, you are a true hero. My question is double. Have there been any fund-raisers for you and your family and for research? Because I'd like to challenge 10 million people in the United States to all send a dollar or more to you. Maybe your parents could get a P.O. box or we could send it to Larry, so that some day you can be a history professor for someone, because you truly are an inspiration.

STEPANEK: Thank you very much. If you were going to do that, challenge everyone to just send a dollar, don't send it to me or my mom. I'd rather it go straight to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Every cent counts. Every penny, every second of research will get us closer to a cure. I like that idea, but please make it to the MDA.

KING: Do you want to read another poem before we continue?

STEPANEK: Sure, yes. Thank you. This one is -- it is embedded in art. It is called "Timeless Existence."

KING: OK.

STEPANEK: And "Timeless Existence": "It is nice when people notice you are present, but it is important when people notice you are absent. It is sad that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We should rather that presence makes the heart grow fondest. Then, even when we are gone into our future, we still live in the present of our past."

KING: We'll be back with our remaining moments with Mattie Stepanek, get some more phone calls in. Don't go away. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "GOOD MORNING AMERICA") JIMMY CARTER, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Hello.

STEPANEK: Hello.

CARTER: One of the great ambitions of my life is to meet Mattie. And I'm glad to see you.

STEPANEK: I'm glad to see you.

CARTER: And I'm so proud of your poetry book. I wrote a poetry book a few years ago. It never got on "The New York Times" best- seller list. (LAUGHTER) (END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

STEPANEK: Well, it looks like these peanuts are ready. I waited until there were about 50 peanuts on an underground vine. Then I pulled them up and put them in my wagon and took them home and fresh boiled them. And then, every Saturday, I sold about 20 bags for a nickel each. I never went home until each bag had been sold. (END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: We're back with Mattie Stepanek. Castro Valley, California, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Larry.Hi, Mattie.

STEPANEK: Hello.

CALLER: You truly are an inspiration to children and adults alike. I have a question for you about your trach. I have a husband that had a trach. While he had his trach, he was fed all of his nutrition through bolus feeding. And if this is what is happening to you now, how do you keep your spirit without eating natural food?

STEPANEK: Well, that would be a very hard question for me, because, when I first got my trach, I was aspirating. When I would swallow, food would go into my lungs. But I trained myself not to do that. And now I think I really enjoy sitting down to a meal with friends, by myself and my mom. I like to eat, but if I was on feeding, while I would turn on my machine and let it go straight into my stomach, I would think about chewing and swallowing.

KING: You want to do another poem before we get another call in?

STEPANEK: Yes, please. This one is another one from my new book "Loving Through Heartsongs," "About Happiness": "To me, happiness is traveling, not really me traveling, but my heartsongs traveling. When the songs in my heart travel out and around the world, in the things that I say, and in the poems and stories that I write, and in the prayers that I feel to God, and when the letters and words of those heartsongs bring some peace to the countries and people who have war in their lives, that is real happiness to me.

"KING: Let's get in one more call.Erie, Pennsylvania, hello.

CALLER: Hi, Mattie.I'm 11. And I was wondering what your main goal in life is.

STEPANEK: My main goal in life, first of all, is to live every day to the fullest, no matter how long that is. I want to become a poet and a peacemaker.

KING: You're both already.

STEPANEK: Spread my peace throughout the world. And I want to expand more and keep writing and keep speaking. And when I am gone, I want to be remembered as a poet, a peacemaker, and a philosopher who plays.

KING: Mattie, you're a great...

STEPANEK: And I also want to be a daddy. (LAUGHTER)

KING: I know that. That's good, too. You're a great little boy. Good luck at the hospital tomorrow. Get better soon.

STEPANEK: Thank you.

KING: You're in our thoughts.

STEPANEK: Thank you. You, too.

KING: Mattie Stepanek, "Loving Through Heartsongs," with a foreword by Maya Angelou. And look for that forthcoming album of his music sung by Billy Gilman.