Jason McElwain

"I'm not really that different," Jason said. "I don't really care about this autistic situation, really. It's just the way I am. The advice I'd give to autistic people is just keep working, just keep dreaming, you'll get your chance and you'll do it."

Despite his condition, Jason, a 17 year-old senior from Greece Athena High School in New York, just kept working, dreaming and finally had the chance to prove his worth, not only as a basketball player but more importantly, as a human being.

I came across his story when I got bored yesterday. I clicked on a video clip which was titled "waterboy." (if you want a copy, please notify me) After watching it, that afternoon was never the same for me. I realized that Jason did not waste the opportunity that was given to him. He got only this one chance, and he sure made the most out of it.

I remember Gandalf's beautiful words in LOTR: "...so do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." Jason got in only during the final stretch of the game. He failed his first two shots. But he decided to keep on going.

Aside from the fact that I suck at basketball, I also realized that the triumphs in human history were contributed not only by the intellectual giants or by the strong and powerful leaders. History will never leave out the meaningful contributions by the seemingly little people - especially those who never gave up despite the overwhelming odds.

And Jason is certainly one of them.