Thread: A real human interest story

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This youtube story brought tears to my eyes!
YouTube - Jason McElway

as a mom of a disabled child who was always the team managers and still is that really brings tears to my eyes. Thank you so much.

Every time I see that vid it makes me feel good, and makes me proud for the lad. I’ve had the privilege to volunteer at Special Olympics events and watch kids who aren’t as physically able as Jason put their heart and soul into competing at the best level they can. They don’t know the meaning of quit. They don’t wallow in envy or self pity. They draw energy from the crowd and keep on keepin’ on, no matter how much they have to struggle, or how long it takes. They thrive on the competition. Whenever I hear the able bodied whining about how hard “it” is, as happens far too much in an election year like we’re in now, or how they expect others to do for them what they should be doing for themselves, I reflect back on those athletes and draw inspiration……………………..we could learn a lot from those youngsters.

There a few sporting events that I know I will never forget as long as I live. Not in any particular order....

Boise State's win in the Fiesta Bowl last year,

Nebraska's loss to Miami in the 1980 Orange Bowl,

The 4th and 13 miracle our highschool rival pulled on us in the state semi-finals costing us a possible first ever state championship my senior year,

The tears in their eyes, the look of complete euphoric exhaustion and absolute joy on their faces and the clearance they got jumping up and down screaming and yelling, this past football season when the boys I coached won a really tough play-off game in overtime against their biggest rival to advance to their championship,

And finally, this story.

When I first saw it on the news, I couldn't help but cheer for him myself. I thought it was amazing and that he had really had an incredible run. I was also taken by the fact that his teammates jumped up and down screaming and yelling having the time of their lives watching him succeed. It really was one of those life imitating art moments. Stories that good aren't made up, and they can only happen and inspire in real life. Congratulations to him. He deserves every bit of it.

The year he did that, ESPN gave him an ESPY for his amazing performance. In fact, as I recall, he beat out Kobe Bryant for that ESPY, who happened to put up 81 points in one game that year. Now, I'm not a big fan really; but, Kobe to his credit, agreed that the award went to the better player....

Cheers,
Dutch

Thanks for the nice words. I think we provide better news coverage here than on the boob tube!

Great story, wouldn't it be nice if we could get that good warm feeling about life in general, think it would be a better place.

How is your brother doing in Iraq, we are thinking of him and all of those in the Military.

Richard

This kid is from my town of Greece outside of Rochester. He has just written a book. They are making a movie about him. Pretty much of a local celebrity around town but very low keyed young man. Very nice kid.

Its amazing that he is also autistic.My youngest son is autistic and it is really amazing what they can do with such a strange illness.there is such a broad spectrum of autism that its a pleasure to see him in so much control