NEWS: Autistic Student Lifts Hearts Through Sports

CULTURE: Autistic Student Lifts Hearts Through Sports

What a great, great story.

I've been speaking for the past two weeks about my Olympic fever and the spirit of sport. This story proves the spirit end of the equation without question.

An autistic teenager from upstate New York, who served as his high school basketball team's manager, was called off the bench to play in the final minutes of the final home game. (Watch the video within the link)

You're probably thinking, "Aww, that's so nice of them to let him to go out and run around for a bit!"

He didn't just run around out there, he scored 20 points in the last four minutes ... including a school record SIX three point shots. (Again, I'm deferring to the video)

To me, this not only shows that anyone can accomplish anything, but also that sports aren't just who can beat who ... they're also very much about the heart of the athlete.

And the heart of the fans that watch them. Look again at the crowd reaction in those videos. I'd bet my right arm that even the knuckleheads who usually make fun of this kid were cheering their asses off for him in those moments.

Jason ... you are the man.

i saw a story about this last night on inside the NBA. fantastic stuff.

Isaiah Thomas has just signed him to a 6 year, 50 million dollar contract. If his autism worsens, he'll change it to 7 years at 90 million.

Did anyone play defense on him?

I think this is a different kid.

That really wasn't too clear, but I'm sure even if they did it wasn't a very tight defense. But this kid hit SIX THREES in under four minutes ... and if you watch the video, not only were they long threes they were also very clean threes.

I couldn't score 20 points in four minutes on an empty basketball court.

No, he's saying it's very impressive that this kid did score 20.

yay for good news from my hometown (Greece, NY)....Jason McElwain (the autistic student) attends Greece Athena High School (I went to Greece Arcadia).

just nice to see something good come out of Greece (and Rochester), which hasn't happened in a long time.

Hes definetly the man and I wish that these pro athletes that get paid a fortune would take a look at something like this and realise they are being paid to do something they love when others through no fualt of their own will never do so.

This story and there are others as well are great inspirations and should be televised world wide but alas the death and destruction, and the promting of killing ppl seems to rate higher for tv then good will stories. Its a shame.

I'm just curious why this kid didn't play before if he can shoot like that- autism or not, he's got a nice shot.

Yeah, cool. The only way autistic (or otherwise mentally abnormal) kids can get accepted in today's loving society is to learn how to score 3-pointers and have a sweet layup.

Definitely makes me all teary-eyed.

See, stories like this are the reason I still like Disney movies. Nothing makes you feel good, like a feel-good story. And this was awesome

****Here is the point****

















****And here is your finger, far from the point, shoved straight up your ass****

That autistic kid could kick my ass in a game of one-on-one

Or maybe it's about kids that some people have written off doing, and EXCELLING at, something they love.

Having the moment in time where everything was about them ... people actually recognizing them for what they can do rather than what they can't.

No, it couldn't possibly be that.

[Edited on Feb 24, 2006 by crispy]

holy shit that kid has a damn good shot.

well said, crispy.

but i see the point being made. most of these kids are sloughed off in society unless they do something amazing or hollywood makes a movie about them.

i'm a huge advocate of autism awareness, and i think anyone who knows autistic kids would know how amazing this is that the kid overcame and anxiety about being in front of people and playing ball. that in and of itself, is a miracle.

bravo

right on

[Edited on Feb 24, 2006 by goofball]

This was the only good news I saw all week on the CBS evening news.

I think its great.

I tend to focus on the "underdog" quality to the story. It sounded like the coach just put him in assuming he'd head after the ball a few times and talk about it the rest of his life (the kid, not the coach) now next season he'll be putting the kid in a lot more. Don't get me wrong the coach is cool as hell for putting the kid in in the first place but the segment I saw made it sound like no-one expected him to do much.

The best part was the crowd's reaction though. EVERYONE was cheering, including the other team. They all loved him the first shot he sunk, and it was all uphill from there. I defy you to imagine what it must have been like for him and the people that care about when he made that last basket and everybody rushed him and not get a bit choked up.

Just because hardly anybody expected him to achieve much doesnt mean they dont care when he blows everyone out of the water. If I sound overly critical of the people involved I apologize, I think everybody involved should be proud of him and of themselves. It's hard to actually give people a chance sometimes and they gave him one.

*sniffle*

anyone else see Disney execs perking thier ears up?

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Oh no! God no! Please, noooooo!

what an odd person



[Edited on Feb 25, 2006 by thorr74]

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