Millions of people were amazed in February 2006 when team manager Jason "J-Mac" McElwain entered Greece Athena High School’s final home basketball game during the final minutes and scored 20 points in four minutes.
No one dreamed that J-Mac, who has autism, was capable of such a feat. No one, that is, except for Coach Jim Johnson, who had developed a close relationship with J-Mac and was determined to give him a chance to play varsity basketball. Coach Johnson believed those four minutes were a miracle, a gift from God. He also felt that J-Mac’s story could teach important lessons about the power of passion, goal setting, and perseverance in sports and in life. He wanted to share J-Mac’s miracle with the world in a book and he started looking for a co-author.
The timing was miraculous in its own way for writer Mike Latona: his sons Andrew, age 4, and Matthew, age 2, had recently been diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, an autism spectrum disorder. Mike and his wife were struggling to understand what the boys’ diagnoses meant and what to do about them. "What the teacher thinks may not be what the doctor thinks," Mike says about the first few months. "You’re working with the information you have and trying to make guesses. The only proof the diagnosis is correct is if your child gets better. You just do the best you can and try to move forward."
Hillside Medicaid Service Coordination helped the Latonas access community-based services to help their family. "We were given a choice of services," Mike says, "but Hillside emerged as the right choice. They have a very positive reputation and we realized it was a wonderful opportunity." Their service coordinator has helped them access occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and respite services. "They’ve also helped guide us through the mountains of paperwork," Mike says. "And they’re always recommending new groups, services, and books. Hillside has its finger on the pulse of all the services in the community."
When the opportunity arose to help Coach Johnson write a book about J-Mac, Mike leapt at the chance. "You know when something just feels right," Mike says, "You just know you have to do it." A Coach and a Miracle: Life Lessons from a Man Who Believed in an Autistic Boy was published in February.
Sharing J-Mac’s message with Hillside youth and staff
Coach Johnson shared his story as guest speaker at the annual sports recognition dinner at Hillside Children’s Center’s (HCC) Varick campus in April. According to HCC Executive Director Karen Zandi, "He talked about the importance of dreams – both team dreams and personal dreams. He got the kids to talk about their dreams and he told them never to give up on their dreams. He encouraged them to develop something in their lives around their passion. He also talked about perseverance and staying focused."
The coach’s talk also had an impact on Hillside staff, as well. "Some of Jim’s stories are just simple acts of kindness by ordinary people," Karen explains. "The effects of simple acts of kindness and the impact of human connection are important messages for staff and the children we serve."
The coach also signed 50 copies of the book for all the youth recognized that evening. "Many of our youth have a rough time sitting still in situations like that," Karen says, "but you could have heard a pin drop. The kids and staff were totally focused and engaged. It was a wonderful event."
The lessons of J-Mac and Coach Johnson continue to inspire co-author Mike Latona and his family. Andrew will turn 10 this year and Matthew will be 8. "There are frustrations," he says, "but both of our boys are high functioning, intelligent, loving gifts. I wouldn’t trade these kids for anything. We have a very happy family here."