Comments on: The Jason McElwain Video Made Me Cry — But Not for the Reason You Think It Did

By: Char

Char — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:59:38 +0000

Hi… had your blog recommended to me as a friend. I have a special needs child and when that video link made the rounds, I felt like a total Scrooge because I didn’t share the same sentiments as everyone else. I was angry that everyone had short changed this kid for so long. Six 3-pointers in 4 minutes is not likely a fluke and I felt bad that he was never given a chance to develop his true potential as a basketball player. I think too often the non-special ed community is of the opinion that as long as they throw some bones every once in awhile, everyone should be happy. Condescending is the exact right word.

I wrote a blog about the Rudolph Christmas special and totally pissed off a bunch of people. Luckily I also made some people think about the program a little differently.

Thanks for writing such an insightful blog (all of the entries; not just this one)… Char

By: Liz Tree

Liz Tree — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:30:30 +0000

Thank You!!!! You put my thoughts to words!!!!

By: starrlife

starrlife — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:31:22 +0000

Totally there with you gf.

By: Noan

Noan — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:43:47 +0000

Amy, I completely agree.

By: Cathy B

Cathy B — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:42:12 +0000

I thought it was great! There is way more to playing a team sport than making several shots without any kind of interference. I was more impressed that this kid did a good job as manager-watching him help the team practice and cheering them on was awesome! I hope it shows people that kids with disabilities can still be part of a team.

By: Stacy Augustine

Stacy Augustine — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:56:09 +0000

Yup, that part is lousy, although we don’t know whether there were reasons he wasn’t on the regular team. It was moving — as for *any* kid, autistic, tough time, or no — to see how “for” him the fellow students and teammates were.

By: Kari

Kari — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:58:40 +0000

My thoughts EXACTLY.

By: cate

cate — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:25:52 +0000

ugh. yeah, I do not feel inspired at all by these “inspirational” stories. and yet they keep coming. This is the one that’s going around local to me: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/10/high-schoolers-touchdown-scores-more-than-just-points/

yes, it’s just like a movie. exactly. a BAD MOVIE.

By: Robert Polk

Robert Polk — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:31:10 +0000

I’m with you.

By: Eric Schaefer

Eric Schaefer — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:10:57 +0000

I think your point is a valid one. You’re right….the kid should have been given a chance sooner. However, I think the video still serves the purpose of showing that kids with special needs are capable of so much more than we think. Maybe I’m a dreamer, but I’d love to think that some other kid will be given a chance – sooner – because his coach, or teacher, or boss at work – saw this video.