The story I wanted to read about Jason McElwain
Jason McElwain, the high school senior from Rochester, NY has been all over the news recently. (See for example this story at ESPN). He is the kid who for two years was the "team manager" (i.e. helper) for the school basketball team, and who gets put into the last game of his last year for the unimportant last four minutes. It's news of course because he happens to be autistic, and he proceeded to score 20 points in those four minutes, including six three-point shots. In case you don't know, that's an absolutely amazing accomplishment, even for someone who plays regularly.
Of course everyone has been crying tears of joy, and I suppose the McElwain family is busy reviewing very lucrative movie proposals. Good for them -- they deserve no less.
Here's what I want to know about this story: How come the fricking coach assumed that since this kid is autistic he can't play basketball, or needs a pity opportunity in an inconsequential game!? Why was someone who is so obviously talented at basketball relegated to fetching towels and water for two years?! Did the coach never in two years see him even shoot a ball? How come we assume that a label of "autistic" or "deaf" or whatever equals pitiful or incapable?
I'm sure they all feel quite good about themselves at that high school -- they should feel shame instead. Both the "deaf" and "autistic" labels happen to apply to my son too, and guess what? -- I'm sure he's much, much smarter than that coach, and probably sings better too. He does suck at basketball though :-) .
