Education & Basketball Triumphs!
Flying With The Basketball!
To celebrate the weekend, I have two stories of heartwarming triumph on the high school basketball court.
The first story happened way back in 2006, when Jason McElwain, an autistic high school senior, dazzled his fellow team members and the crowd in the final game of the season.
Jason (J-Mac to his friends) had served as a waterboy, then Coach’s assistant and “spirit leader” for his Rochester, NY high school team, but finally played. He astounded everyone!
He wound up being a media superstar after he scored six three-point baskets in a row and finished with twenty points.
There are YouTube videos showing the excitement of the game and he and his family even got a visit from President Bush, a few weeks after the game.
Now there’s ongoing talks of books and movies to tell his story.
At only 5’6″ tall, Jason sees himself as a “regular guy”. To me, and the rest of the world, he’s a mighty talented young man, with a terrific attitude.
Excitement Just This Week
Patrick Thibodeau is also a basketball afficionado and he has Down’s Syndrome.
Patrick, known as “Tibs” to his friends, goes to Greeley High School in Cumberland, Maine.
After helping manage the basketball team, Tibs got his chance to play last Tuesday night, when he got the start in the team’s final home game.
In the very first quarter, Patrick scored a three-pointer!
And to make the story even happier, his dad was able to be there to see him play. His father, Perry, was released from the hospital the night before the game, after suffering a stroke two weeks before.
Both of these stories touched me and made me appreciate life and the human spirit even more than before.
I hope you enjoy the stories also and have a terrific weekend.
Brennan
