Check out our brand new Local Poker Communities! Get updates and interact with poker players in your area.
Visit the United States Poker Community | Visit the California Poker Community | Read more about the Launch of P5s Local

The Jason McElwain Story: An AWFUL Message

Reply to Thread
  1. Cyclone15 Cyclone15 is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 1,082
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:26pm)

    This is the autistic kid who dropped like 6 threes in a high school game. I was reminded of this in the "amazing high school achievements" thread and because he was at one of the NBA finals games and met all the players, yada yada. There's also a movie being made about him.

    Am I the only one who thinks this is a little bit ridiculous?

    He has a mild form of autism (obviously if he can talk like he does and play basketball) and is attending community college next year. His coach did a nice thing and put him in the game, then he proceeded to chuck up like 20 shots in a row (Kobe anyone?). He hit a few, and now, everyone goes nuts. He's a celebrity. What about all those with more serious forms of autism who CAN'T talk or shoot a basketball. What about those with other disabilities who haven't had the good Fortune to randomly sink some 3s? This kid is famous for hitting a few shots and is being given all this crap not because of his autism, but because he's marketable. And you know in the movie the character is going to be borderline a vegetable then is going to learn how to play basketball. This kid shouldn't be getting pictures, autographs, and God knows what else with everyone on the planet for hitting 6 3s. Cute story yes, but inspirational? Sorry. Let's teach disabled kids that if only they could hit a home run they'd be famous.
  2. randomfrost randomfrost is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 7,271
    Joined: Jul 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:28pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    <OBJECT height=350 width=425><PARAM NAME="movie" VALUE="http://www.youtube.com/v/fyWCsyL9H4I"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fyWCsyL9H4I" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></OBJECT>
  3. Fitz420 Fitz420 is offline

    Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
    United States

    Posts: 6,090
    Joined: Oct 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:31pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    one, yes you are the only one who thinks this is ridiculous and 2, If some goofy kid with a helmet hit a homerun he would be on every talk show in the world. Godforbid any of these"people" should get famous....***HUFF***
  4. Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo is offline

    Posts: 709
    Joined: May 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:32pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    can you make 6 threes in 20 shots? didn't think so. maybe you have a more serious form of autism than he does?
  5. Cyclone15 Cyclone15 is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 1,082
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:41pm) in reply to Johnny Ringo

    Fitz: You don't understand.
    bbooth: You make little sense.
    Thread Starter
  6. WadeCounty WadeCounty is offline

    Posts: 293
    Joined: Mar 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:42pm) in reply to Johnny Ringo

    I dont understand the cause of your disgust. the kid isnt handicapped enough for you so its an AWFUL message? thats the most ludicrous thing ive read in a while sir, congratulations.

    sounds to me like the op is jealous of an autistic 18 year old.
  7. Shaaarrrp Shaaarrrp is offline

    Arlington, VA
    United States

    Posts: 9,196
    Joined: May 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:42pm) in reply to randomfrost

    great song
     
  8. beanie beanie is offline

    Saint Paul, MN
    United States

    Posts: 6,272
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:43pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    I think its the best sports story of the year. Points to participation and a school rooting for the underdog, don't be so cynical.
  9. Fitz420 Fitz420 is offline

    Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
    United States

    Posts: 6,090
    Joined: Oct 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:44pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    I get it now, you just dont like retards do you? You Hatemonger!!!!
  10. randomfrost randomfrost is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 7,271
    Joined: Jul 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:45pm) in reply to beanie

    <OBJECT height=350 width=425><PARAM NAME="movie" VALUE="http://www.youtube.com/v/XzX6YjydLyk"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XzX6YjydLyk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></OBJECT>
  11. steve steve is offline

    Memphis, TN
    United States

    Posts: 1,469
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 2:56pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    I, on the other hand, both understand and make a lot of sense. The kid is an inspiration to others who have to overcome developmental disabilities. The story sends a message that just because you have more to overcome than others, that doesn't mean you can't achieve great things and enjoy yourself. If as a nation we occasionally go a little overboard in promoting those messages, I don't have a problem with it.
  12. 2 Guns up 2 Guns up is offline

    Yonkers, NY
    United States

    Posts: 3,632
    Joined: May 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 3:02pm) in reply to WadeCounty

    Lightning does strike twice in the same place

  13. Admiral Admiral is offline

    Boulder, CO
    United States

    Posts: 8,251
    Joined: Feb 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 3:15pm) in reply to WadeCounty

    That ight be one of the greatest sports stories ever, and I believe he was 6 for 8 from 3 and ended up with 20 points in four minutes. There hasnt been a story out there that has ever made me feel as good as that one.
  14. FlyersGuy FlyersGuy is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

    Posts: 4,247
    Joined: Sep 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 3:17pm) in reply to WadeCounty

    i will see the movie. everytime i hear about that kid, i smile.

    some people and their views never cease to amaze me
  15. Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo is offline

    Posts: 709
    Joined: May 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 3:20pm) in reply to FlyersGuy

    sounds like someone didn't get enough hugs as a kid.
  16. MadTiger MadTiger is offline

    Akron, OH
    United States

    Posts: 6,506
    Joined: Feb 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 3:20pm) in reply to FlyersGuy

    It's like a "Rudy" story, but with the autism twist. Kid works hard, and finally gets a chance. And lights it up.

    He wasn't Kobe. On that day, all things considered, he was better than Kobe.

    And that's why he has a movie deal before Kobe. People eat that up.

    (Since there's been countless movies about spoiled brat kids who get in the same profession as their parent, Kobe will have to wait)
  17. 1.21Gigawatts 1.21Gigawatts is offline

    NY
    United States

    Posts: 12,935
    Joined: Oct 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 4:22pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    I don't remember Radio ever scoring a touchdown. They made a movie about him.
  18. Admiral Admiral is offline

    Boulder, CO
    United States

    Posts: 8,251
    Joined: Feb 06

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 4:25pm) in reply to 1.21Gigawatts

    well the cops picked him up on christmas delivering presents so his story had that going for him
  19. 2 Guns up 2 Guns up is offline

    Yonkers, NY
    United States

    Posts: 3,632
    Joined: May 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 4:32pm) in reply to Admiral

    yes this will be a good movie, americans love the underdog story.....so not sure why you are so bitter about this kid. He will never be an NBA player but he did something remarkable that day. So fall back.

    radio= Vince Young LOL!
  20. bdecker7649 bdecker7649 is offline

    Ames, IA
    United States

    Posts: 1,161
    Joined: Sep 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 4:38pm) in reply to MadTiger

    F Rudy...he's a boring fat old man now...And he had little talent then either...just good at marketing his story
  21. 1.21Gigawatts 1.21Gigawatts is offline

    NY
    United States

    Posts: 12,935
    Joined: Oct 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 4:39pm) in reply to 1.21Gigawatts

    You're losing sight of the whole thing. You don't see it as an accomplishment, because it's just a high school basketball game, and the kid wasn't that bad off in the first place.

    There is something inspirational about watching someone that was born with a genetic disease and never given the same opportunites as everyone else succeed in a way that no one ever thought possible.

    I mean, people just wanted to see this kid come in a play a few minutes of basketball. That's all they wanted. He airballs his first shot... so what. Nobody expected him to actually score any points.

    And then, what he did next was unbelievable. 20 points in 5 minutes (13 shots). I can only imagine being in the stands that day and watching it all take place. I would've been inspired. That's all that matters.

    It's a great story, and it touches people's hearts. I don't understand how anyone could ever say this story is "awful."
  22. poundthatace poundthatace is offline

    United States

    Posts: 6,545
    Joined: Apr 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 9:17pm) in reply to 1.21Gigawatts

    I have seen that clip, about ten times and everytime I got goosebumps. You can see the love and enthusiasm from the whole crowd and how much he means to them.

    I think it would be a big story even if he wasn't autistic.... what if he was just a small kid with no muscle and no coordination and was the manager, or if he was a fat slow kid. I mean I look at it as a Rudy type situation.... not "hey this mildly autistic kid"
  23. SluggerWV SluggerWV is offline A picture is worth a thousand words.

    Posts: 45,410
    Joined: Nov 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 10:10pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    it s a fantastic achievement in his life and a great story. it made tears come to my eyes the first time i saw the story on sportscenter. this kid must mean a lot to the fans because the roar is deafening and gets louder each time he hits a shot God Bless him I hope he gets set for life
  24. Cyclone15 Cyclone15 is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 1,082
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 11:19pm) in reply to SluggerWV

    To all those who think I hate "retarded" people or am jealous of Jason: You are clearly of limited intelligence.

    I think what he did was great, don't get me wrong. It's just that people need to see the reality of the situation. I don't want parents praying that their autistic child will do something miraculous. The truth is that 99% of autistic children (especially those with more severe cases) are never going to do anything besides eat and sleep. And that doesn't make them any less "courageous" or "heroic" than Jason McElwain.

    I said that it was an awful message to spark controversy. It is a reasonable story about overcoming obstacles, etc., but it's important that we remember those handicapped children and adults who never will accomplish anything like this.
    Thread Starter
  25. 2 Guns up 2 Guns up is offline

    Yonkers, NY
    United States

    Posts: 3,632
    Joined: May 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 11:23pm) in reply to Cyclone15

    actually, J-mac can give autistic kids hope after seeing what he has done. He is basically the Jackie Robinson for autistic kids.
  26. Cyclone15 Cyclone15 is offline

    Washington, DC
    United States

    Posts: 1,082
    Joined: Jan 05

    Jun 21st, 2006 (6/21/2006 11:25pm) in reply to 2 Guns up

    Reread what I wrote.
    Thread Starter
Reply to Thread

Similar Threads