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The Game of My Life: A True Story Of Challenge, Triumph, and Growing Up Autistic
An inspirational memoir recounts one young man's lifelong battle to overcome a diagnosis of severe autism and the tough challenges he and his family confronted and describes the role of basketball in transforming his life.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
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254 people want to read
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September 27, 2018
This is a very inspiring story about a high school basketball player Jason "J-Mac" McElwain. Jason was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. His dream was to be on the high school basketball team. But this was a challenge because he is smaller than most of the kids out there is has developmental delays. Jason was ultimately cut from the team. But Jason always found the bright side of every situation. The coach offered him a spot as the team manager to go and get the water and towels. He did this every single game up till senior night, and what happened on senior night is remarkable. This book is a very good book, however it does drag on and hop around in periods of Jason's life so you always have to pay close attention to every detail.
May 2, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “AN AUTISTIC HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYER TOUCHES AMERICA’S HEARTS!”
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Just about every person in America who had a television set and watched any channel’s news or sports report during the week of February 15th 2006 had saw and heard about Jason “J-Mac” McElwain! This teenage boy, having been diagnosed in childhood with autism, though normally just the team manager for his Greece Athena High School varsity basketball team in Rochester New York, was allowed to actually suit up for “Senior Night” the last game of the regular season. Coach Johnson had promised him he could wear a uniform but said he couldn’t guarantee he would be able to get him in to the game, but he’d try.
The introduction and ending to this amazing “FOREST GUMP-LIKE BASKETBALL STORY” is written by Daniel Paisner. There is also a postscript entitled: “SPECIAL NOTE FROM J-MAC’S PARENTS”. But everything else in between is “WRITTEN” by Jason himself. Note: Jason likes being called “J-Mac”, but his mother likes Jason, so I’ll honor his mother in the rest of this review.) The way Jason is “writing” is speaking his thoughts into a tape recorder, and then when he gets out everything he wants to say, he reads it back on paper to see how it is. Jason says: “Maybe there’ll be some things I forgot, and some things I didn’t remember right. And maybe I’ll change my mind about something I wanted to say at first. I’m not actually holding a pencil in my hand or sitting in front of a computer, but it’s a kind of writing. For me it’s the same thing as writing. It’s organizing my thoughts and getting them down on paper in a way that tells what I’m thinking, what I remember, what I want to say about some of the incredible things that have happened to me.”
What the reader will be blessed with is at times heart-warming, at times sad, at times simply incredible, and always so interesting and educational, about a world that most people can never see inside of. But with Jason’s remarkable “writing” we’re given a view heretofore never seen by the world at large. Jason confirms many clinical statements but also audaciously disagrees with others. Jason refused to eat unless he was forced until he was three years old. He didn’t speak until he was five. He was diagnosed with severe autism. “Autism is a developmental disorder that generally appears in childhood, typically in children under three years of age. The disorder is characterized by a marked impairment in social interaction (included but not limited to an aversion to being touched, avoidance of eye contact, and an inability to judge appropriate social behavior) and delayed development of communication skills, and is often accompanied by obsessive thinking and repetitive actions, such as tapping against a table.” Instead of speaking Jason would point and one of his favorite things was to constantly bang two packs of gum together. Jason was blessed with two wonderfully loving and dedicated parents. Mrs. McElwain read everything she could about autism but she modified treatment and responses successfully as she saw fit. Jason’s older brother Josh was also very instrumental in his interest and development in sports. “Like many autistic children, Jason had his obsessive interest, and for the longest time he lived and breathed basketball. If he wasn’t playing it, he was watching it, or thinking about it.” He read the sports section and watched ESPN and dribbled a ball everywhere he went and shot hundreds of shots a day with Josh. After being bused all over town to different special schools he finally got to go to a middle school and Greece Athena a “mainstream” high school. Jason was well liked and one of the many insights that Jason shares with the reader is his disagreement with magazine articles that say kids with autism don’t have a sense of humor. He says: “I don’t think that’s true with me. At least it’s not true anymore.” Jason tried to live a normal life in these schools and even went out for the cross country team. His mother told the coach he couldn’t tie his shoes, and they arranged it so that a “guardian angel” would help tie his shoes before every race and practice. It was just another kid on the team who would tie them for him, but that’s what the athletic department calls it. This is the type of heart-warming view of human decency that is shared with the reader throughout this uplifting story. Jason went out for the junior varsity basketball team in his freshman and sophomore years and was cut each time. During the off season his passion and work ethic was infectious so the junior varsity coach made him the team manager. In addition to his duties such as filling water bottles and helping put the player’s names in the scorebook his enthusiasm was catching. His overriding mantra was “STAY FOCUSED!” The junior varsity coach did not allow juniors or seniors on the team so the coach allowed Jason to suit up for the last game. When he got his one chance to play he got fouled attempting a 3 point shot, and with the crowd going wild he bounced the ball TWENTY TIMES between each free throw attempt and made them all. The junior varsity coach said: “He just started pounding his chest and it was amazing. The energy in the room. People were going bananas, and after the game people were in tears, just sobbing at the beautiful situation that it turned out to be. Who knew that two years later the same thing would happen times a million?”
And now to the fateful day two years later on February 15, 2006: After two years as the varsity team manager Coach Johnson lived up to the promise stated at the beginning of this review. On senior night with FOUR MINUTES AND NINETEEN SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME “J-MAC” got into his first and only high school varsity basketball game. With the entire crowd chanting his name, and the Sixth-Man cheering section holding up pictures of him attached to sticks, “J-MAC” scored TWENTY POINTS INCLUDING A SCHOOL RECORD 6 THREE POINTERS! The crowd gushing tears came on to the court along with the entire team and carried him off on their shoulders. Tears were unabashedly flowing from every fan, every coach, and of course his parents. As “J-MAC” lived his lifelong dream from his perch on the fans shoulders he said: “A part of me didn’t want it to ever end-I’ll tell you that. A part of me wanted to stay on my teammates shoulders forever and ever, because from there I could look out at all the other people and feel normal. From there they could look at me and not think I was any different from anyone else on the team. I thought, this is what happens when you’re a regular kid and you hit the game-winning shot, or make the play of the game. I thought, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!”
What follows is what America already knows about. The constant TV exposure including winning the ESPN ESPY for the best sports moment of the year and a contract with Magic Johnson to film his life story. But as all of Jason’s friends graduated and moved on, Jason stayed at home and hasn’t graduated high school and is working part time in a local market. I feel this book has made me a better person with the education Jason gave me. I recommend this book highly and feel it should be mandatory reading from middle school on up.
IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE: “According to a 2004 study issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism occurs about once in every 166 births-and, curiously, once in every 100 male births – currently effecting as many as 1.5 million Americans. Alarmingly, that number is growing, at a rate of 10 to 17 percent each year, MAKING AUTISM THE FASTEST-GROWING DISABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just about every person in America who had a television set and watched any channel’s news or sports report during the week of February 15th 2006 had saw and heard about Jason “J-Mac” McElwain! This teenage boy, having been diagnosed in childhood with autism, though normally just the team manager for his Greece Athena High School varsity basketball team in Rochester New York, was allowed to actually suit up for “Senior Night” the last game of the regular season. Coach Johnson had promised him he could wear a uniform but said he couldn’t guarantee he would be able to get him in to the game, but he’d try.
The introduction and ending to this amazing “FOREST GUMP-LIKE BASKETBALL STORY” is written by Daniel Paisner. There is also a postscript entitled: “SPECIAL NOTE FROM J-MAC’S PARENTS”. But everything else in between is “WRITTEN” by Jason himself. Note: Jason likes being called “J-Mac”, but his mother likes Jason, so I’ll honor his mother in the rest of this review.) The way Jason is “writing” is speaking his thoughts into a tape recorder, and then when he gets out everything he wants to say, he reads it back on paper to see how it is. Jason says: “Maybe there’ll be some things I forgot, and some things I didn’t remember right. And maybe I’ll change my mind about something I wanted to say at first. I’m not actually holding a pencil in my hand or sitting in front of a computer, but it’s a kind of writing. For me it’s the same thing as writing. It’s organizing my thoughts and getting them down on paper in a way that tells what I’m thinking, what I remember, what I want to say about some of the incredible things that have happened to me.”
What the reader will be blessed with is at times heart-warming, at times sad, at times simply incredible, and always so interesting and educational, about a world that most people can never see inside of. But with Jason’s remarkable “writing” we’re given a view heretofore never seen by the world at large. Jason confirms many clinical statements but also audaciously disagrees with others. Jason refused to eat unless he was forced until he was three years old. He didn’t speak until he was five. He was diagnosed with severe autism. “Autism is a developmental disorder that generally appears in childhood, typically in children under three years of age. The disorder is characterized by a marked impairment in social interaction (included but not limited to an aversion to being touched, avoidance of eye contact, and an inability to judge appropriate social behavior) and delayed development of communication skills, and is often accompanied by obsessive thinking and repetitive actions, such as tapping against a table.” Instead of speaking Jason would point and one of his favorite things was to constantly bang two packs of gum together. Jason was blessed with two wonderfully loving and dedicated parents. Mrs. McElwain read everything she could about autism but she modified treatment and responses successfully as she saw fit. Jason’s older brother Josh was also very instrumental in his interest and development in sports. “Like many autistic children, Jason had his obsessive interest, and for the longest time he lived and breathed basketball. If he wasn’t playing it, he was watching it, or thinking about it.” He read the sports section and watched ESPN and dribbled a ball everywhere he went and shot hundreds of shots a day with Josh. After being bused all over town to different special schools he finally got to go to a middle school and Greece Athena a “mainstream” high school. Jason was well liked and one of the many insights that Jason shares with the reader is his disagreement with magazine articles that say kids with autism don’t have a sense of humor. He says: “I don’t think that’s true with me. At least it’s not true anymore.” Jason tried to live a normal life in these schools and even went out for the cross country team. His mother told the coach he couldn’t tie his shoes, and they arranged it so that a “guardian angel” would help tie his shoes before every race and practice. It was just another kid on the team who would tie them for him, but that’s what the athletic department calls it. This is the type of heart-warming view of human decency that is shared with the reader throughout this uplifting story. Jason went out for the junior varsity basketball team in his freshman and sophomore years and was cut each time. During the off season his passion and work ethic was infectious so the junior varsity coach made him the team manager. In addition to his duties such as filling water bottles and helping put the player’s names in the scorebook his enthusiasm was catching. His overriding mantra was “STAY FOCUSED!” The junior varsity coach did not allow juniors or seniors on the team so the coach allowed Jason to suit up for the last game. When he got his one chance to play he got fouled attempting a 3 point shot, and with the crowd going wild he bounced the ball TWENTY TIMES between each free throw attempt and made them all. The junior varsity coach said: “He just started pounding his chest and it was amazing. The energy in the room. People were going bananas, and after the game people were in tears, just sobbing at the beautiful situation that it turned out to be. Who knew that two years later the same thing would happen times a million?”
And now to the fateful day two years later on February 15, 2006: After two years as the varsity team manager Coach Johnson lived up to the promise stated at the beginning of this review. On senior night with FOUR MINUTES AND NINETEEN SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME “J-MAC” got into his first and only high school varsity basketball game. With the entire crowd chanting his name, and the Sixth-Man cheering section holding up pictures of him attached to sticks, “J-MAC” scored TWENTY POINTS INCLUDING A SCHOOL RECORD 6 THREE POINTERS! The crowd gushing tears came on to the court along with the entire team and carried him off on their shoulders. Tears were unabashedly flowing from every fan, every coach, and of course his parents. As “J-MAC” lived his lifelong dream from his perch on the fans shoulders he said: “A part of me didn’t want it to ever end-I’ll tell you that. A part of me wanted to stay on my teammates shoulders forever and ever, because from there I could look out at all the other people and feel normal. From there they could look at me and not think I was any different from anyone else on the team. I thought, this is what happens when you’re a regular kid and you hit the game-winning shot, or make the play of the game. I thought, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!”
What follows is what America already knows about. The constant TV exposure including winning the ESPN ESPY for the best sports moment of the year and a contract with Magic Johnson to film his life story. But as all of Jason’s friends graduated and moved on, Jason stayed at home and hasn’t graduated high school and is working part time in a local market. I feel this book has made me a better person with the education Jason gave me. I recommend this book highly and feel it should be mandatory reading from middle school on up.
IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE: “According to a 2004 study issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism occurs about once in every 166 births-and, curiously, once in every 100 male births – currently effecting as many as 1.5 million Americans. Alarmingly, that number is growing, at a rate of 10 to 17 percent each year, MAKING AUTISM THE FASTEST-GROWING DISABILITY IN THE COUNTRY.”
October 10, 2011
Genre: Sports, Autobiography, Memoir
Rating: *****
Wow! The Game of My Life is gripping, emotional and packed with fun memories, stories and insights from the perspective of a high school students who lives with autism.
Summary:
As a senior, Jason (J-Mac) shatters expectations in reaching for his dreams on a New York basketball court. This is the story of a boy who grew up autistic and brought focus into his life to reach a goal.
Main Characters:
Jason (J-Mac): high school student, autistic, huge basketball fan.
Parents: caring parents with two sons. Mom is more overprotective than dad.
Josh:Jason's older brother, away at college on Jason's big night.
Coach: Two coaches are critical to the story. Both give Jason a chance.
Key Issues: Goals, Dreams, Focus, Success
Other Interesting Information: News clips and videos from Youtube can be used with this text in the classroom. It is great for discussions of focus and embracing differences in ourselves and others.
Rating: *****
Wow! The Game of My Life is gripping, emotional and packed with fun memories, stories and insights from the perspective of a high school students who lives with autism.
Summary:
As a senior, Jason (J-Mac) shatters expectations in reaching for his dreams on a New York basketball court. This is the story of a boy who grew up autistic and brought focus into his life to reach a goal.
Main Characters:
Jason (J-Mac): high school student, autistic, huge basketball fan.
Parents: caring parents with two sons. Mom is more overprotective than dad.
Josh:Jason's older brother, away at college on Jason's big night.
Coach: Two coaches are critical to the story. Both give Jason a chance.
Key Issues: Goals, Dreams, Focus, Success
Other Interesting Information: News clips and videos from Youtube can be used with this text in the classroom. It is great for discussions of focus and embracing differences in ourselves and others.
May 19, 2017
Very touching and encouraging!!
August 27, 2017
Inspiring story. We all could learn many lessons from this heartwarming story. J-Mac, you are my hero!!
October 22, 2019
I think it is a very good book. It explains what Jason went through as a kid. It also teaches a very good lesson about never giving up. No matter what is in your way from getting to your dream.
January 21, 2022
Love a good inspirational story. Dare to dream and you just don't know what could happen. Good read for basketball fans and fans of kids with dreams.
December 4, 2023
Wonderful story, very inspiring. So much respect for Jason, his family, his friends, teammates, and his coach.
April 2, 2024
Looking for a hero? Read this book.
August 20, 2024
True story!!
Read
November 15, 2020I feel as if it's inappropriate to put stars on someone's life story, so I'm not going to submit any. Although I still loved the book, and how close I got to J-Mac through his perspective.
January 14, 2009
When I watched ESPN’s Sportscenter on the morning of February 16th, 2006, I was amazed by what I witnessed. The top play of the day highlighted a high school basketball game only 20 minutes from my home (which initially caught my attention) where an autistic student had scored 20 points in less than 4 minutes. The student, Jason “J-Mac” McElwain, became an instant celebrity within his school, town, and eventually the world. With this new recognition, he went on to share his story inspiring everyone he came into contact with saying that no matter what life throws at you that you can still succeed at whatever it is that you love. With the help of professional writer Daniel Paisner, J-Mac collaborated his childhood and growing up with that famous game from February 15th to tell his story of growing up and over-coming his autism in the novel The Game of My Life.
The way the novel itself is set up is very unique and interesting. Each chapter contains two sections. The first highlights an important section of time in Jason’s life from his memory that also include input from significant people during that specific time (for example his parents David and Debbie while growing up and friends such as teammate Steve Kerr during high school). This is a great addition because we get to hear not only from the mind of an autistic teenager but also those who interact with him nearly every day. The second section of each chapter is a part of the game from 2006 told directly from Jason’s memory. Sections entitled “Halftime” and “Showtime” let us enter the mind of the teen during the game the night before he had made headlines. Jason’s descriptions of fans cheering his name and anxiously waiting on the bench to go into the game were so vivid that I almost felt I was viewing the night’s events through his eyes.
While reading the book, I really enjoyed being able to enter the mind of a teen about my age who has gone through and struggled with so many obstacles in his life. Also, I was impressed by the way Paisner was able to put together quotes from others in Jason’s life, which added to the amazing depth of the story. For instance, in Chapter Two’s section one entitled “Big Bird” (named after the character from Sesame Street as well as Jason’s first words), we heard about the event not only from Jason’s memory (he was five years old at the time, so he could remember) but from the thoughts and emotions of Debbie, David, and J-Mac’s brother Josh and how they all reacted when the event happened. It added an extra dimension to what happened, and it was a new and exciting way to read an autobiographical book.
This book also serves as a great motivational tool. Hearing about the struggles and victories straight from the minds of an everyday American family facing autism touched me as I read. After being diagnosed with severe autism, Jason, with the help of his family and friends, began to be able to communicate with others very effectively and do other things that most autistic children would not be able to do. The game is just the icing on the cake. With all the odds stacked against Jason, he was able to achieve his dream of just stepping on the court and even more after that by scoring 20 points and beating the school record for three-pointers in a game by scoring six. Ever since the game, he uses the book as well as personal speeches to continue motivating young and old people that whether you’re autistic or fully functional, you can “always catch a dream.”
The way the novel itself is set up is very unique and interesting. Each chapter contains two sections. The first highlights an important section of time in Jason’s life from his memory that also include input from significant people during that specific time (for example his parents David and Debbie while growing up and friends such as teammate Steve Kerr during high school). This is a great addition because we get to hear not only from the mind of an autistic teenager but also those who interact with him nearly every day. The second section of each chapter is a part of the game from 2006 told directly from Jason’s memory. Sections entitled “Halftime” and “Showtime” let us enter the mind of the teen during the game the night before he had made headlines. Jason’s descriptions of fans cheering his name and anxiously waiting on the bench to go into the game were so vivid that I almost felt I was viewing the night’s events through his eyes.
While reading the book, I really enjoyed being able to enter the mind of a teen about my age who has gone through and struggled with so many obstacles in his life. Also, I was impressed by the way Paisner was able to put together quotes from others in Jason’s life, which added to the amazing depth of the story. For instance, in Chapter Two’s section one entitled “Big Bird” (named after the character from Sesame Street as well as Jason’s first words), we heard about the event not only from Jason’s memory (he was five years old at the time, so he could remember) but from the thoughts and emotions of Debbie, David, and J-Mac’s brother Josh and how they all reacted when the event happened. It added an extra dimension to what happened, and it was a new and exciting way to read an autobiographical book.
This book also serves as a great motivational tool. Hearing about the struggles and victories straight from the minds of an everyday American family facing autism touched me as I read. After being diagnosed with severe autism, Jason, with the help of his family and friends, began to be able to communicate with others very effectively and do other things that most autistic children would not be able to do. The game is just the icing on the cake. With all the odds stacked against Jason, he was able to achieve his dream of just stepping on the court and even more after that by scoring 20 points and beating the school record for three-pointers in a game by scoring six. Ever since the game, he uses the book as well as personal speeches to continue motivating young and old people that whether you’re autistic or fully functional, you can “always catch a dream.”
Read
January 14, 2009 The Game of My Life is an inspiring book about a Jason McElwain who must overcome obstacles such as autism throughout his life. This book not only describes the great game that Jason had at his final basketball game as a Greece Athena Trojan but his struggles early in his life to learn new things and be like a “normal kid’. When Jason was a small child he would always sit in the corner of his kitchen and not speak to anyone but his brother Josh. As Jason got older his parents would hope that he would say just one word because experts believe that if a kid with autism spoke in one full sentence he would start speaking regularly. To learn ways to limit the effects of autism Jasons parents would bring him to experts all around the country and do what ever they could to help Jason become a “normal kid”. Finally when Jason spoke in his first full sentence he started doing other things such as playing basketball with his older brother Josh. Jason got so good at playing basketball with his brother Josh that he eventually became better than his brother and Josh quit playing. Jason became the manager of his JV basketball after being cut from it in his freshman year. Jason was manager of the JV team up until his last game of his sophomore year when he got to suit up and play. To be able to make his varsity team in his junior year Jason joined many camps throughout the summer. Then when his Varsity tryouts began Jason worked his hardest but he knew he had a back up plan which was to be the Varsity team manager if he didn’t make the team. Jason ended up not making the team and became the team manager. Jason was a very energetic team manager and was never afraid to show his emotions. Jasons saying that he would say every game was “stay focused”.
Then came Jason’s big chance. Jason would get to play in the last game of the Greece Athena basketball season... the Senior Night game... as a senior. Jasons big chance came with about four minutes and thirty seconds left in the game. When he was in the game Jason didn’t want his teammates to just look for him because the players that were on the floor with him were players who had sat on the bench all season like him but they did. On his first shot Jason threw up a three pointer and... air balled it. Then when his second opportunity came Jason shot another three pointer and it went in. When the ball went in the crowd went crazy and Jason let his emotions take him over and he ran down the court pounding his chest. Jason went on to score 20 points in a span of three and a half minutes including a school record six three pointers. Jason could have had another three pointer but his foot was on the line on one of his shots. At the end of the game the crowd rushed the court and swarmed Jason. The floor was covered with pictures of Jasons face on Popsicle sticks as Jason had his own cheering section for the game.
Jasons face was all over the news as he appeared on all of the local news channels and ESPN. Jason and his family could have never believed what had happened to him just from one day and one game. Jason became a national hero to kids with autism and to kids who could never make an athletic team all around the country.
Then came Jason’s big chance. Jason would get to play in the last game of the Greece Athena basketball season... the Senior Night game... as a senior. Jasons big chance came with about four minutes and thirty seconds left in the game. When he was in the game Jason didn’t want his teammates to just look for him because the players that were on the floor with him were players who had sat on the bench all season like him but they did. On his first shot Jason threw up a three pointer and... air balled it. Then when his second opportunity came Jason shot another three pointer and it went in. When the ball went in the crowd went crazy and Jason let his emotions take him over and he ran down the court pounding his chest. Jason went on to score 20 points in a span of three and a half minutes including a school record six three pointers. Jason could have had another three pointer but his foot was on the line on one of his shots. At the end of the game the crowd rushed the court and swarmed Jason. The floor was covered with pictures of Jasons face on Popsicle sticks as Jason had his own cheering section for the game.
Jasons face was all over the news as he appeared on all of the local news channels and ESPN. Jason and his family could have never believed what had happened to him just from one day and one game. Jason became a national hero to kids with autism and to kids who could never make an athletic team all around the country.
Read
April 21, 2013The Game of my life by Jason “J-Mac” McElwain is a memoir describing Jason’s extraordinary life. Jason tells his story about how his autism didn't stop him from achieving his dream. In Jason’s senior year of high school on senior night of basketball he got to play and showed everyone in that gymnasium what he could do.
February 15, 2006 in the high school gymnasium in a suburb of Rochester, New York home of the Greece Athena Trojans, Jason McElwain acquired the court for the varsity basketball game. Jason was a senior that was the basketball team’s manager. Jason is also autistic, he was not physically different from everyone else but he developed slower than normal children, however Jason didn't mind he liked the attention. As a kid Jason’s autism made it difficult to develop normally, he was treated differently and struggled socially. Jason loved sports. As a kid he involved himself in playing with his older brother Josh but Jason could never keep up with them so he sat out most of the time. Jason’s mother tried to push the responsibility of helping Jason get into sports on Josh. Jason’s mother just wanted Jason to be a normal kid. She loved her son no matter how he was but she was concerned about his future and how others would treat him. Josh loved sports as well that why his mother thought he’d be a good influence for Jason. Once Jason was more independent he started developing his own likes and dislikes. Jason tried out for the basketball team and made it. He made the varsity team as the manager of the team. Sometimes he got so into the game his teammates said his shirt wouldn't be tucked in by the end of the game. Jason was played for the senior night of last home game of the season. He owned the court; people underestimated him because he was the smallest kid on the court. He quickly showed everyone what he could do.
Jason is an inspirational person. Jason never let developing slower than others, being teased by other kids, and being a little different from others stop him from being himself and living his life the way he wanted to. He overpowered his handicap and proved to not only everyone in the gymnasium but also himself that hard work and determination can and will payoff in achieving a goal. People who like sports should read this because it is a remarkable story about a young boy’s life and his love for a sport. Also this memoir draws people in to read and is very difficult to put down.
February 15, 2006 in the high school gymnasium in a suburb of Rochester, New York home of the Greece Athena Trojans, Jason McElwain acquired the court for the varsity basketball game. Jason was a senior that was the basketball team’s manager. Jason is also autistic, he was not physically different from everyone else but he developed slower than normal children, however Jason didn't mind he liked the attention. As a kid Jason’s autism made it difficult to develop normally, he was treated differently and struggled socially. Jason loved sports. As a kid he involved himself in playing with his older brother Josh but Jason could never keep up with them so he sat out most of the time. Jason’s mother tried to push the responsibility of helping Jason get into sports on Josh. Jason’s mother just wanted Jason to be a normal kid. She loved her son no matter how he was but she was concerned about his future and how others would treat him. Josh loved sports as well that why his mother thought he’d be a good influence for Jason. Once Jason was more independent he started developing his own likes and dislikes. Jason tried out for the basketball team and made it. He made the varsity team as the manager of the team. Sometimes he got so into the game his teammates said his shirt wouldn't be tucked in by the end of the game. Jason was played for the senior night of last home game of the season. He owned the court; people underestimated him because he was the smallest kid on the court. He quickly showed everyone what he could do.
Jason is an inspirational person. Jason never let developing slower than others, being teased by other kids, and being a little different from others stop him from being himself and living his life the way he wanted to. He overpowered his handicap and proved to not only everyone in the gymnasium but also himself that hard work and determination can and will payoff in achieving a goal. People who like sports should read this because it is a remarkable story about a young boy’s life and his love for a sport. Also this memoir draws people in to read and is very difficult to put down.
June 2, 2008
Jason McElwain was the autistic kid in 2006 who got to play in the last game of the season with his Varisty basket ball team and scored 20 points in the last 3 minutes of the game. The video was all over everywhere, because it was just so neat to see. Mostly, it is Jason telling the story of beong the team manager for several years and how he got into the game and the game itself. He talks a little about school and being autistic and just normal life stuff. He talks about how weird it was, all the attention he got, how the media just exploded around him. He tells about some of the neat stuff he got to go do in the wake of all the attention.
The things I found the most interesting:
-He talks about how he relates to other kids. He talks about getting teased by kids because that's what kids do in high school, boys always tease each other, and most of the time, he was teased the way all the other kids were teased.
-He talked about how he hates it when his mom puts a hand on each cheek and talks right in front of him. He knows she just wants him to focus on her and hear what she is saying, but he started concentrating a long time ago and he can hear her from across the room. I am familiar with the technique, and I occasionally use it, but kids grow up and you don't have to do things like that forever, if your lucky.
-Even though he didn't have the credits to graduate with a diploma, he chose to graduate with his class. He didn't want to keep going to high school even though he could continue until he was 21. He is now 19. He has a regular job at a grocery store and goes to a GED class. The teachers have told his parents that they don't know if he will ever be ready to take it, but he has decided that he will just keep trying.
-He talked about having no fear. No fear of failure or embarrassment. He just keeps trying.
It was really a feel good book. Very uplifting. There aren't a lot of books with autism that make you feel good, most are very negative, and leave you with despair, but this made me feel good. I think I'll pass it to my mom. I also love to read 1st person stuff from autists, because I like the insight into their thought process. It helps me imagine what is going on with S, inside his head.
The things I found the most interesting:
-He talks about how he relates to other kids. He talks about getting teased by kids because that's what kids do in high school, boys always tease each other, and most of the time, he was teased the way all the other kids were teased.
-He talked about how he hates it when his mom puts a hand on each cheek and talks right in front of him. He knows she just wants him to focus on her and hear what she is saying, but he started concentrating a long time ago and he can hear her from across the room. I am familiar with the technique, and I occasionally use it, but kids grow up and you don't have to do things like that forever, if your lucky.
-Even though he didn't have the credits to graduate with a diploma, he chose to graduate with his class. He didn't want to keep going to high school even though he could continue until he was 21. He is now 19. He has a regular job at a grocery store and goes to a GED class. The teachers have told his parents that they don't know if he will ever be ready to take it, but he has decided that he will just keep trying.
-He talked about having no fear. No fear of failure or embarrassment. He just keeps trying.
It was really a feel good book. Very uplifting. There aren't a lot of books with autism that make you feel good, most are very negative, and leave you with despair, but this made me feel good. I think I'll pass it to my mom. I also love to read 1st person stuff from autists, because I like the insight into their thought process. It helps me imagine what is going on with S, inside his head.
November 17, 2012
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Many people probably remember hearing about Jason McElwain on the news back in 2006. He scored a record six three-point shots for his high school basketball team. That might not have been outstanding for a superior high school player, but Jason was the team manager, not a first string player. And, in addition to that, he was a young man diagnosed as autistic.
In THE GAME OF MY LIFE, Jason McElwain tells his story. He shares what he recalls from family stories about his early childhood years, unable to communicate or even tolerate his mother's loving touch. Extensive medical testing resulted in a diagnosis of severe autism. With the help of dedicated parents, Jason was able to learn coping skills and manage many of his autistic outbursts. Sports provided a focus point and an outlet for his energy, and ultimately earned Jason his moments of fame.
Jason's unique voice can be clearly heard as he tells his memories of early treatments thought to reduce the symptoms of autism. He explains the frustration of moving from one school to the next as school administrators searched for the best programs to help him. As Jason became interested and involved in a variety of sports, he found not only friends, but also a way to achieve success. Always in touch with reality, Jason knew his skills were adequate but not exceptional, and his success came as a chance to just be part of a team. But with the care and concern of his coach and teammates, his part on the team gave him the chance of his life and memories that have changed him forever.
THE GAME OF MY LIFE is an inspiring story about living with an increasingly common condition. It is an excellent book for teens suffering with autism or connected to someone with the condition. Jason's positive, up-beat personality is refreshing, as well as direct and realistic.
Many people probably remember hearing about Jason McElwain on the news back in 2006. He scored a record six three-point shots for his high school basketball team. That might not have been outstanding for a superior high school player, but Jason was the team manager, not a first string player. And, in addition to that, he was a young man diagnosed as autistic.
In THE GAME OF MY LIFE, Jason McElwain tells his story. He shares what he recalls from family stories about his early childhood years, unable to communicate or even tolerate his mother's loving touch. Extensive medical testing resulted in a diagnosis of severe autism. With the help of dedicated parents, Jason was able to learn coping skills and manage many of his autistic outbursts. Sports provided a focus point and an outlet for his energy, and ultimately earned Jason his moments of fame.
Jason's unique voice can be clearly heard as he tells his memories of early treatments thought to reduce the symptoms of autism. He explains the frustration of moving from one school to the next as school administrators searched for the best programs to help him. As Jason became interested and involved in a variety of sports, he found not only friends, but also a way to achieve success. Always in touch with reality, Jason knew his skills were adequate but not exceptional, and his success came as a chance to just be part of a team. But with the care and concern of his coach and teammates, his part on the team gave him the chance of his life and memories that have changed him forever.
THE GAME OF MY LIFE is an inspiring story about living with an increasingly common condition. It is an excellent book for teens suffering with autism or connected to someone with the condition. Jason's positive, up-beat personality is refreshing, as well as direct and realistic.
November 4, 2016
I remembered the story of Jason 'J-Mac' McElwain's memorable game from when it was on ESPN, Good Morning America, and other national news outlets, but this book was a good refresher in addition to providing the backstory of all that led up to that game. Most of it is written by McElwain himself, with anecdotes from friends, family, and coaches providing their perspective on the events. He chronicles the first 18 or so years of his life, primarily with the focus on his being diagnosed with autism and later how it translated into his obsession with basketball that enabled him to set school records in his first, and last, high school varsity game.
Normally, I don't care about basketball, so I appreciated McElwain's in depth description of the terms and play styles of the game, which I don't believe was so much intended to educate casual readers as it was a reflection of how detail-oriented his autism makes him when it comes to basketball. The progress that Jason makes over the course of the book should give hope to parents of young children with autism, that just because the kids seem lost in their own unreachable world, dedication to finding the proper education and opportunities can open them up remarkably. McElwain mentions frequently that he went from a toddler who constantly banged packs of chewing gum together to a young man who scored 20 points, most of them 3 pointers, in 4 minutes of a basketball game, given speeches to many groups, and written a book.
Normally, I don't care about basketball, so I appreciated McElwain's in depth description of the terms and play styles of the game, which I don't believe was so much intended to educate casual readers as it was a reflection of how detail-oriented his autism makes him when it comes to basketball. The progress that Jason makes over the course of the book should give hope to parents of young children with autism, that just because the kids seem lost in their own unreachable world, dedication to finding the proper education and opportunities can open them up remarkably. McElwain mentions frequently that he went from a toddler who constantly banged packs of chewing gum together to a young man who scored 20 points, most of them 3 pointers, in 4 minutes of a basketball game, given speeches to many groups, and written a book.
October 4, 2012
Buku perjuangan Jason McElwain yang menderita autisme, namun tetap memiliki semangat juang yang tinggi. Masa kecilnya memang berbeda dengan kebanyakan anak normal. Keluarganya berusaha sebaik mungkin untuk menyembuhkan Jason. Hingga suatu saat, dia berhasil mencetak poin kemenangan dalam sebuah pertandingan basket Sekolah Menengah Greece Athena Trojans. Mencetak dua puluh poin, termasuk rekor sekolah enam kali three-pointer. Jason atau yang dikenal akrab dengan panggilan J-Mac pernah mendapat penghargaan ESPY Awarad dan muncul di acara Oprah.
Kisah yang inspiratif sekali. Walaupun Jason berbeda dengan anak lain, dia tetap memiliki rasa percaya diri yang tinggi. Mau berusaha keras. Disusun oleh penulis Daniel Paisner, kisah nyata Jason dipublikasikan dalam sebuah buku 'The Game Of My Life'. Ini termasuk buku biografi yang menceritakan perjalanan J-Mac.
Beberapa bagian terlalu membosankan bagi saya, terpaksa saya membaca buku tersebut 'loncat-loncat'. Tapi over all, bukunya keren!
Kisah yang inspiratif sekali. Walaupun Jason berbeda dengan anak lain, dia tetap memiliki rasa percaya diri yang tinggi. Mau berusaha keras. Disusun oleh penulis Daniel Paisner, kisah nyata Jason dipublikasikan dalam sebuah buku 'The Game Of My Life'. Ini termasuk buku biografi yang menceritakan perjalanan J-Mac.
Beberapa bagian terlalu membosankan bagi saya, terpaksa saya membaca buku tersebut 'loncat-loncat'. Tapi over all, bukunya keren!
October 14, 2012
Jason “J-Mac” McElwain, team manager of the Greece Athena Trojans was given the opportunity to play in the senior night varsity basketball game by his coach. After missing his first shot by about six feet, the five foot six inch senior went on to scored twenty points in a four minutes and nineteen seconds. His amazing moment became one of the most sought after sport stories around the United States in 2006. One of the reasons: Jason was born severely autistic.
Daniel Paisner, a ghost writer, does a fabulous job of using Jason’s own audio tape recordings to maintain and present Jason’s true voice about his development from early childhood to the game that changed his life forever. Paisner also utilizes the stories of family members, friends, and Jason’s coaches to give this touching tale more context when necessary. Jason’s story will inspire and enlighten people about autism and show in the end, all any of us really want in life, is to live out our dreams and be accepted.
Daniel Paisner, a ghost writer, does a fabulous job of using Jason’s own audio tape recordings to maintain and present Jason’s true voice about his development from early childhood to the game that changed his life forever. Paisner also utilizes the stories of family members, friends, and Jason’s coaches to give this touching tale more context when necessary. Jason’s story will inspire and enlighten people about autism and show in the end, all any of us really want in life, is to live out our dreams and be accepted.
May 11, 2015
The Game of My life By Jason MacElwain
This book takes place from when Jason was a kid all the way through his senior year. Jason is an outstanding kid and was only 8 years old when he found out he had Autism. I believe Jason wrote this book because it goes through his life and how he had a lot of ups and downs but that didn't stop him from doing what hew does best and that's basketball. Through out this book it talks about Jason's life and how people went out of their way to help a kid like Jason do bug things in life. My opinion on this book is all good things and there really is good things, Jason is a wonderful guy and works hard all the time. The way I feel about this book is that the coach went out of his way too let Jason dress up which he didn't have to do, and he even let him play in his first game. If you want to find out how Jason does in his first varsity game than read this book. If you like sports books and a little bit of sad/caring book than read this book.
This book takes place from when Jason was a kid all the way through his senior year. Jason is an outstanding kid and was only 8 years old when he found out he had Autism. I believe Jason wrote this book because it goes through his life and how he had a lot of ups and downs but that didn't stop him from doing what hew does best and that's basketball. Through out this book it talks about Jason's life and how people went out of their way to help a kid like Jason do bug things in life. My opinion on this book is all good things and there really is good things, Jason is a wonderful guy and works hard all the time. The way I feel about this book is that the coach went out of his way too let Jason dress up which he didn't have to do, and he even let him play in his first game. If you want to find out how Jason does in his first varsity game than read this book. If you like sports books and a little bit of sad/caring book than read this book.
July 24, 2018
First,...if you've not seen the YouTube footage of J-Mac's sensational senior basketball game,...view it before reading this book, as that inside knowledge will frame the entire context of J-Mac's inspirational story. The book begins, ends, and through-out narrates the lead-up and outcome of that amazing basketball game. The book is told in J-Mac's voice, through his lens, and for those familiar with individuals on the Spectrum, the narrative rings true, although others might find it a little slow, and repetitive in spots, but that's perhaps a gentle introduction to the world of Autism. J-Mac generously offers a full view of his life growing up Autistic, the good, the bad, and of course the inspirational. Enjoyed this book immensely, and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about Autism, or who is simply a basketball fan with a heart that cheers for impossible dreams coming true.
September 1, 2010
This is easily one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. It would be that even if I didn't have a special needs son, one who reminds me a lot of Jason "J-Mac" McElwain, even though my son has not been diagnosed with autism.
The best thing about this book was the majority of it being told by McElwain's voice. It reads like it was written by a teenager with autism, and that's a good thing. It adds to the honesty of the book. It was so nice to read about McElwain's life growing up and how everything came together at that Senior Night game.
As the father of a special needs son, it was very heartwarming to see how McElwain's teammates, coach, friends, fellow students, everyone, all reveled in McElwain's success. All most special needs kids want is to belong. J-Mac certainly got that.
The best thing about this book was the majority of it being told by McElwain's voice. It reads like it was written by a teenager with autism, and that's a good thing. It adds to the honesty of the book. It was so nice to read about McElwain's life growing up and how everything came together at that Senior Night game.
As the father of a special needs son, it was very heartwarming to see how McElwain's teammates, coach, friends, fellow students, everyone, all reveled in McElwain's success. All most special needs kids want is to belong. J-Mac certainly got that.
March 4, 2008
I appreciated this book for two reasons. Reason #1: It was written in the voice of Jason "J-Mac" McElwain (the author) who is autistic, so that alone gave me insight into what it is like being autistic. His narrative was repetitive in spots, but autistic people need repetition in order to feel safe. In addition to this, a section of the novel goes a little bit more in depth with references to authorities giving the reader further insight about autism. Reason #2: the book is about basketball, my favorite sport. J-Mac can recall in great detail the game in which he scored 20 points, and he provides a good account of the game that is somewhat enjoyable to read. I have seen the taped footage of the game numerous times, but it was nice to read what the game was like from his perspective.
November 7, 2011
This novel is an true inspiration. Jason had always dreamed to play basketball, to be the big man on campus. He practiced day in day out!! He was blessed to have parents,teachers and coaches that backed him and gave him the support that he need to reach his goals. That night of his senior year was amazing and life changing! This was an emotional moment in the life of Jason's family!! They had always worried about Jason and how his life would turn out but now the saw him as a hero standing amongst his peers. Hundreds of people ichanting Jmac Jmac and that's where the story began.
May 27, 2013
Great story of "J-Mac" - the basketball manager of his senior basketball team who was put in for the final game and scored more than 20 points - went viral. I like that although much of this book was written with another writer, J-Mac narrates much of it including what it was like to grow up autistic (with vignettes added in from his family, coaches, friends, etc.).
Some struggling readers may be confused by the folding-blanket plot line - it doesn't proceed in chronological order and by the shifting narrator, but with enough preparation, they should be fine.
Some struggling readers may be confused by the folding-blanket plot line - it doesn't proceed in chronological order and by the shifting narrator, but with enough preparation, they should be fine.
October 4, 2013
The Game Of My Life is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Jason "J-Mac" McElwain shows you how much you should live every day like it's your last in his story. Jason is a boy that has autism, bu that doesn't stop him from reaching his dreams. HIS dream was to play in a varsity basketball game and that dream comes reality when his coach puts him in for thier sneior night. He not only gets to go in but he also makes some point. Never give up on your dreams. Great book to read, I really enjoyed it.
June 4, 2016
This book is a book of courage, hope, dreams, opportunity and overcoming! Jmac s an autistic teen who experiences the opportunity of a lifetime and makes the most of HIS moment. As a persistent and influential basketball manager and as one who loves the game he gets the opportunity to play in the last game of the year for his high school, and he ends up scoring 20 points in 4 minutes. The game is a historical and gives us all hope we could never imagine. This is a must read for anyone, anytime, and is already one of the best stories ever told!
April 24, 2016
The strength of this book lies in its presentation of several viewpoints. Most of the text is a transcript of the main author's spoken recollections of school, sports, and his contributions to the high school basketball team. It's balanced by passages from his mother, coach, friends, which help to ground the story. The pages of play-by-play action describing his famous few minutes (sinking multiple 3 pointers in the final game of the season) had me skimming, but still belonged there. Disappointing that they mentioned a possible movie, but that 10 years later it still ever got made.
November 2, 2011
This book was a very insparational story and was a great example of how you should never give up. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves to read an inspiaring story, any sports fan, and especially anyone that has a kid with disabilities or has disabilities themselves. At some points I did lose interest in the book because of the reading level, but overall it was a very good book and I hope that all of you will give this book a shot as well!
October 25, 2013
I think this book is really cool. I have had the opportunity to meet J mac multiple times and he is a very nice guy. I think it is cool that his coach gave him the opportunity to play in that last game. I think it is wrong that the kids locked him in the gym and other things that they did. J mac lives for basketball. He is also really smart about cross country. This is a very good book. I would strongly suggest this book to people.
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