Get out your tissues . This is so great !!

[Twist_U_Up]

A very touching story from Crooks and Liars -VIDEO-

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/02/25.html#a7298

Max sent me an email about this story. You might have seen it alread, but if you didn't- David Edwards sent the video over. " Jason McElwain, an autistic high school basketball team member in Rochester NY, served as the coach's assistant and spirit leader for several years. On the final game of the season the coach let him finally put on a jersey with the rest of the team. Watch what happens then..."


Pretty amazing stuff!

Read more on the story here.

"My first shot was an air ball (missing the hoop), by a lot, then I missed a lay-up," McElwain recalls. "As the first shot went in, and then the second shot, as soon as that went in, I just started to catch fire."

"I've had a lot of thrills in coaching," Johnson says. "I've coached a lot of wonderful kids. But I've never experienced such a thrill."

[davidinalameda]

1. I read that story

it is amazing

[Twist_U_Up]

2. they have a video up now nt

[depakid]

3. Kinda begs the question though...

Why didn't the coach play him earlier?

A team record tying six 3 pointers? And the guy's been on the bench all season?

Hmmmm.

[Up2Late]

7. It's the type of quiet discrimination that Autistic and Learning Disabled

kids experience everywhere, it's just very rare that anyone ever notices. I know, I struggled through school as an LD student back before they found the right drugs that would help me and others.

[Scout1071]

12. He was the manager, not technically a player. It was his senior year,

last game and the Coach wanted to reward him by asking him to suit up and join the team on the bench as a player. He didn't even tell the kid that he would play.

Then, in the final minutes, he couldn't resist and told him to get in the game.

Great story.

[depakid]

17. Still begs the question

why wasn't he on the team? Seems to me he had the talent....

Maybe there's a simple and rational reason for that. I dunno. That's why I say it begs the question.

[Scout1071]

18. Nothing discriminating here. The kid did not have the talent to

make the team. Both the kid and the coach admit it was a fluke and nobody could have seen it coming. But that is what made the moment so special.

Based on the interviews I've seen with the Coach, I'd say discrimation is a serious stretch. After all, he found a way for the kid to be involved with the team because he loves basketball.

[havocmom]

4. Get WetzilBill to tell you about his brother (also a BB coach)

and the interview about THAT GAME with the special player. It is a great story. There was an audio file of radio interview. Will see if WB still has a link.

[Wetzelbill]

10. Here is the link for the thread

Not sure if the audio is still up but it's worth checking out.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=202570

[havocmom]

11. Thanks WB

Saddly the audio is just for the previous week so the interview with your bro is not there now :(

[otohara]

5. Crocodile Tears

that's what came from my eyes when I watched this on ABC News - he was their "person of the week"

[SammyWinstonJack]

6. Very cool!

[OneBlueSky]

8. I LOVE seeing people succeed . . . I particularly love it when . . .

it's so totally unexpected . . . no one who was at that game will ever ofrget it -- particularly Jason . . . what a great story! . . .

[Oeditpus Rex]

9. I saw that on the CBS overnight news the other night

I got misty. Reminded me of "Rudy."

Dog, I love it when the underdog wins.

[DS1]

13. Should've put him in earlier in the year

[SeattleGirl]

14. Just saw the video on my local news

Tears and goosebumps watching it. The best part, besides the 6 3-pointers he hit, was the students holding up the the masks with Jason's picture on them, and how everyone ran out onto the court when the game was over. Dang, but what a great story!

[mmonk]

15. hits home with me

My oldest son is autistic. We were told he couldn't learn. I'm getting ready to drop him off at his dorm at NC State in a few minutes. Shows you have to give them a chance. See you when I get back.

[SeattleGirl]

16. That's great mmonk

Many autistics, like the basketball player and your son, are quite high functioning. Good thing you did not listen to the "experts" on this!