a very nice story about an autistic kid

[empy]

i saw this story about a HS kid in upstate New York who suffers from autism that had the night of his life. very inspiring.

At Greece Athena High School, they are still talking about J-Mac's big night.

The soon-to-be graduating senior made his varsity basketball debut, and did in four minutes what will be remembered for a lifetime.

As a student assistant, Jason McElwain helps out the team. But, all that changed on Wednesday night, when coach Jim Johnson decided to give Jason his shot to suit up and play.

"He said this was my senior present, my chance to get out on the floor as an actual basketball player for the night," Jason said.

Jason, or "J-Mac" as he's known, is medically diagnosed as highly functioning autistic. He's also loved by his teammates and fellow students, and they came to the game with his face on signs. When he entered the game, they went crazy.

"My emotions started running wild.I actually sat down and I started to tear up and thought, 'Oh my God, this is happening,'" Coach Johnson said.

Jason got a pass and took a shot. He missed badly.

"His first possesion, he gets the ball and takes a shot and misses by six feet. I put my hands in my head and thought, 'Please, Lord, just get him a basket,'" Johnson said.

One minute later, he got his hoop--a three-pointer that set the gym on fire.

"I was very excited. The team was excited. Everyone was excited," Jason said.

But J-Mac wasn't done. He kept shooting and kept hitting--another three, then another, and yet another.

"I was on fire. I was hotter than a pistol," Jason said.

When he was done, he had hit a team record, tying for six three-pointers.

The crowd stormed the court and put Jason on their shoulders.

Athletic Director Randy Hutto said, "It was one of those special moments that as an athletic director, I thought, 'If I retired today, this would be the one thing that I talked about forever.'"

Jason's playing career is done, but his celebrity continues.

"I was late to every class. Everyone kept coming up to me and saying 'Congratulations,'" Jason said.

Levar Goff, the team's senior captain, said,"He's like a celebrity. He's loving every bit of it too. You see him smiling all the time."

Jason's job now is to help get his team ready for sectionals, but if they need a now not-so-secret weapon, they know they have J-Mac ready to go.

[GasJunkie]

Good for him.



Ot why j-mac? is he a wannabe black?

[empy]

i saw the vid...he's white. dunno why the nickname, accdg to the reporter his teammates gave it to him...

[falken]

Nice story. His name's Jason McElwain, hence, J-Mac.

[delprado]

.. nice story .

It seems to me na Asperger's Syndrome disorder meron itong si J-mac.
Somehow, it's normal for someone suffering from this disorder to achieve such
thing as per the description below:

"Asperger's syndrome carries with it superior intelligence and a tendency to become very interested in and preoccupied with a particular subject. Often this preoccupation leads to a specific career at which the adult is very successful. At younger ages, one might see the child being a bit more rigid and apprehensive about changes or about adhering to routines. "

Some experts even thought that Einstein and Newton were suffering from AS.

http://rarediseases.about.com/cs/asp...e/a/041003.htm

[endlessgwing]

saw this one too sa news, very inspiring

[empy]

that Asperger's syndrome seems like the opposite of ADD, which i think i have

[Chip]

i saw this on CNN

very uplifting talaga. it just shows that everyone is capable of greatness if given the chance.

[tebs]

saw it also sa cnn the other day. galing nga, naka-ilang 3point shots sya

hopefully he gets more exposure sa court after that

[falken]

Saw his video clip at metacafe, here's the link:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/79325/...d_20_in_4_min/

[nugundam93]

wow. amazing.

[stinkaboy]

Pres. Bush watched his game.

[GlennSter]

that Asperger's syndrome seems like the opposite of ADD, which i think i have

bwahrahrahr!!!very inspiring indeed...

[KrisKros]

I saw that video too, also on http://www.break.com/index/autisticbball.html

That is an amazing feat, whether or not one is autistic.

[juntzo]

Sorry kung OT.

Do you know that in the US, new babies born have 1 in 155 chance of being autistic? I don't know here in the Philippines but that rate is very scary if you are planning to have a baby soon! They say you will only find out if your baby has it when he or she is about 3 years old.

I have a pinoy friend who spends more than $700 a month for therapy for his autistic 7 yr. son. Just some food for thought!

[Karding]

Sorry kung OT.

Do you know that in the US, new babies born have 1 in 155 chance of being autistic? I don't know here in the Philippines but that rate is very scary if you are planning to have a baby soon! They say you will only find out if your baby has it when he or she is about 3 years old.

I have a pinoy friend who spends more than $700 a month for therapy for his autistic 7 yr. son. Just some food for thought!

look out for flapping hands, one of the obvious characteristic of autism that tends to be neglected or disregarded.

$700 a month, did your friend seek assistance from the County? Most autism therapy is paid for by the County. [California]

If he's from the east coast, its likely that he isnt getting any assistance. Karamihang taga east coast lumilipat ng California due to enormous funding to cure autism.

Initial assessment: $4000

bttt, and yes it a great feeling to see an autistic child improved just after a few months of therapy. Thanks to those hard-working, dedicated therapist...no amount of money can repay those therapists.

[cutedoc]

kakatuwa naman=)

life isnt all fair but God made ways to stretch what seems imperfect to be right=)

[ogpro]

Good for him.



Ot why j-mac? is he a wannabe black?

Er, why does it make him a wannabe black? It's just a nickname....

[Galant_VR_94]

I saw the vid, it was very inspiring to see someone in his position and state do something meaningful in his life. It gives hope to others and gives them the idea that nothing is impossible when you put your mind into it.

[CVT]

Thanks for sharing. This is very inspiring.... Something that we should pass around and hit that 3-pointer in our lives.....

3909:trampoline: