Need some 'warm fuzzies' today? Autistic hoopdreams....

[Dan Murphy]

Just heard this on Paul Harvey, thought a good share with folks here on the CB........

It’s an awesome story with a fairy tale ending for one basketball player in Rochester, NY. The senior, who is autistic, had never played in a varsity game before—until last Thursday night.

Jason McElwain is the trainer for the Greece Athena varsity team. As a part of "Senior Night" for the team's last home game, his coach decided to let him play.

He sat patiently on the bench in his new uniform until the team was up 20 points. His fellow students were chanting his name, and the coach decided to put him in.

Although he got off to a rocky start, missing his first two shots, there was no stopping him once he got in his groove. Even the coach was overwhelmed with emotion for his newest star player.

McElwain scored 20 points in the last four minutes of a basketball game. And saying the crowd went wild is an understatement. They chanted his name and each basket was followed by a roar as if he had just won the game in the final seconds with each shot. Maybe he did.

​

Couple of videos........

http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=83601

http://www.wroctv.com/news/story.asp?id=21810&r=l

Way to go, J-Mac!!!!

 

[padams]

 

[msdznyduck]

I saw this on the early news this morning. Too bad it was the last game of the season, just think of the contribution he could have made to the team if he had been put in for more than just that last game. to Jason for sticking to it!

 

[Pooh67_68]

 

[Dan Murphy]

I saw this on the early news this morning. Too bad it was the last game of the season, just think of the contribution he could have made to the team if he had been put in for more than just that last game. to Jason for sticking to it!

Or from the beginning of the season.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I love this!!My nephew is autistic and I have hope for him to ahcieve his best and this is so inspirational!!

 

[wdw4us]

Thanks for the clip. I saw this on the news this morning. By your linking the story, I was able to share it with the office crew.

Great Story!

denise

 

[Jennifer48]

I saw this on the news last night. J-Mac, what an inspiration. I believe they said he held the school record now too for the most 3-point shots in a game. Awesome

 

[luv2nascar]

yeah he scored 20 points in two minutes including 6 - three pointers. GO Jason. Yeah to coach for giving him a shot.

 

[Tracey1974]

Saw that last night- what a great story!

 

[roseprincess]

What a great story! These autistic children do have hidden talents! My ds(8) who is high on the autistic spectrum is in the Gifted program at school! Who knew!

Thanks for sharing the story, Dan.

Rosemarie

 

[snowball22]

Awesome story Dan!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

It would be so good if kids, and adults also, were given the chance to perform with the talents given them, I think many would be surprised how well they can do, if only given the opportunity.

 

[vettechick99]

Oops, Dan! Didn't see you had already posted this. Great minds think alike, eh? :

 

[missypie]

Very heartwarming, but as the mom of a son with Asperger's Syndrome, it makes me kind of irritated that they didn't let him play before. When my son played basketball, the other kids would never ever pass to him.

 

[AnnR]

It wasn't a matter of not letting him play before. He didn't make the team so was made team manager. He learned to shoot but I don't think he played defense. I am an aunt of an autistic child and I thought this was a wonderful story. The coach said it was the best moment in his coaching career. He had worked it out with the other team so they would let J-mac shoot. The story has been reported on Good Morning America, ESPN, and the Today Show. By the way, Greece Athena is my alma mater and I am very proud of this today!

http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=7B0124C0-7D58-49A3-81EC-EF50A0D8D673

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/wireStory?id=1656512&page=1

 

[MagicKingdom05]

It sure didn't look like the other team was playing back at all. Except for 1 shot, the rest have defensive players in his face.

 

[nwdisgal]

Yes, I was thrilled to see that article, having a DS that has Autism. Here's one for the team.

 

[disykat]

He had worked it out with the other team so they would let J-mac shoot.
QUOTE]

This is what I assumed, but all the news places are reporting it as if it was based totally on his skill alone. I actually like the story better if his classmates (and the other team) were giving him an opportunity to shine and showing their support WITHOUT him somehow miraculously scoring 20 points single handedly. THAT'S an outpouring of love!

 

[Stitchfans]

That story sure brightened my day up some. thanks.