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autism
June 2009 
"The Game of My Life"
Posted on Jul 8th, 2008
by 
Professor
Professor
"The Game of My Life", by Jason McElwain,
a book review by Harry Johnquest
******************************************************
On top it's about an autistic kid who gets a chance to play basketball in the final four minutes of the final game of his senior year. He scores big, the crowd goes wild, videos circulate worldwide, major networks feature interviews and highlights of the game. Oprah gets him on her show. Now there's a book, it's written by that autistic kid, Jason "J-Mac" McElwain along with Daniel Paisner, New York Times bestselling author. It's a novel read, profoundly moving, and a great story. Columbia Pictures already signed the deal for a movie. This is huge.
The heart of the book is a very personal view, mainly through Jason's eyes, of a life with autism. Struggle. Frustration. Determination. It's about never giving up. It's "Rocky" meets "Rain Man" as a child. It's "The Little Engine That Could" incarnate. The book's "keep focused" format centers around Jason getting into the big game which keeps the excitement building. But author Paisner guides McElwain to take the reader with him deep into his life's trials and the triumphs that allowed for such a game as this. Statements from family and friends pepper the story throughout.
a book review by Harry Johnquest
******************************************************
On top it's about an autistic kid who gets a chance to play basketball in the final four minutes of the final game of his senior year. He scores big, the crowd goes wild, videos circulate worldwide, major networks feature interviews and highlights of the game. Oprah gets him on her show. Now there's a book, it's written by that autistic kid, Jason "J-Mac" McElwain along with Daniel Paisner, New York Times bestselling author. It's a novel read, profoundly moving, and a great story. Columbia Pictures already signed the deal for a movie. This is huge.
The heart of the book is a very personal view, mainly through Jason's eyes, of a life with autism. Struggle. Frustration. Determination. It's about never giving up. It's "Rocky" meets "Rain Man" as a child. It's "The Little Engine That Could" incarnate. The book's "keep focused" format centers around Jason getting into the big game which keeps the excitement building. But author Paisner guides McElwain to take the reader with him deep into his life's trials and the triumphs that allowed for such a game as this. Statements from family and friends pepper the story throughout.
Jason's early diagnosis was severe autism. He couldn't do much more than flap his arms and scream. Oddly, coincidentally, Jason one day pointed at the tv and said his first words, "Big Bird." His mother cried she was so happy. Great family. His older brother took him along most everywhere, just to run, go do things with friends and to shoot hoops. His parents tried whatever they could, new, old, adapted and learned-in-process. Jason improved and was rediagnosed as simply autistic. He could run so in junior high school he made the cross country team still he couldn't even tie his own shoes. In high school they mainstreamed him. He tried repeatedly to make the basketball team, failed repeatedly, but as a senior he accepted Coach Jim Johnson's invitation to be team manager. Here enthusiasm properly prepared meets opportunity and amazing things happened. The coach let Jason, for his first time, suit up for that last home game. Recognizing the moment, he put J-Mac into the game of his life. Jason was the high scorer of the game.
Bottom line for me: "The Game of My Life" ultimately is about the great people all around Jason McElwain, those who never gave up on him and more importantly ever encouraged, sought new strategies, included him in their lives, and cheered when he did well. It's about us---we who recognize and bring forth others' greatness. In turn, an inspired Jason McElwain now inspires us, magnificently.
c2008, H.M.J.
Bottom line for me: "The Game of My Life" ultimately is about the great people all around Jason McElwain, those who never gave up on him and more importantly ever encouraged, sought new strategies, included him in their lives, and cheered when he did well. It's about us---we who recognize and bring forth others' greatness. In turn, an inspired Jason McElwain now inspires us, magnificently.
c2008, H.M.J.
Access: Public
