December 27, 2004

Kyle Maynard, wrestler, male model -- congenital amputee. Anyone else see this guy on Larry King Live the other night? Impressive. But the way he kept asking for someone, anyone, to provide him with a modified SUV (specifically an SUV, to be cool) he could drive made me uncomfortable. And that Web site may as well be called Kyle-a-Palooza. Is this a great way to inspire others, or is he making money off his physical differences?
  • I don't think it's so bad that HE is making money off his physical differences. But I think it's bad other companies seem to be using him as "oh look we can be nice to the freak!" He certainly wouldn't be good looking enough to be a male model normally. So it sure strikes me as exploitation.
  • "Congenital amputee"? Any anyone be born with a limb or three cut off?
  • well, he was born with no hands and although he has feet, they're on his hips not his ankles. interestingly, do a google image search on the term and kyle is mainly who comes up.
  • Having to constantly " overcome " your terrible problem and " be inspiring " for everyone is probably a better life than if your family just kept you in a closet. But there's nothing ' normal ' about it when you're constantly a show. For other people who have serious disabilties ( such as myself ) it would be nice if society would accept that we're here and we could just live our lives as best as we can.
  • amen to that, cardenio. what did you think of his site?
  • Cardenio, what's your disability? I'm sorry if that's an insulting question but I'm curious and I figured it'd be better just to honestly ask instead of trying to hedge around and get you to say it without a direct question.
  • Hey, if I were an amputee and needed an SUV, I would do the same thing. I think people are too oversensitive over stuff...most likely, as far as he's concerned, he's got to make do with what he has, and fuck, if William Hung took it and rolled with it, why shouldn't he? let the endorsements pour in baby!
  • If he was a genital amputee, I'd give money.
  • Well, maybe "congenital amputee" just means an amputee who still has his wedding tackle: an amputee with genitals.
  • But my point (ouch) was about the juxtaposition of "congenital" and "amputee", which, to my mind, creates an oxymoron, since "amputee" implies a loss of something that was at one time present.
  • People with disabilities do have some special needs, and if Kyle envisions a tool out there, such as a modified wheelchair or an SUV, which he can use to make his life easier, more power to him in going after it. Sad fact: this guy's never going to lead what most of us think of as a normal life, whatever that is. Individuals try to make the most of the hand they're dealt. Looks like he understands that, and is thinking about how he can earn a living. In any event, I wish him well.
  • *chortle* Argh! You fucker, you're so wrong! lol
  • Do you have to follow special rules when wrestling this guy so you don't hurt him or throw him? Seriously. And does this make him a harder or easier opponent (besides whatever your psychology may be doing to you)?
  • Speaking as a dwarf, I feel he has a right to use his disability to whatever ends he wishes. Disclaimer: I'm not a dwarf.
  • Skrik, does quadrilateral phocomelia trip any more easily off of the tongue? He could be one hell of a wrestler. Super low center of gravity, immune to leg- and wrist-locks.
  • I don't know; my paraplegic lover drove a standard automatic with the help of a stick to push the pedals. He preferred hotrods to SUVs, tho.
  • Now he`s going to kick your ass
  • Now he`s going to kick your ass
  • I wish I could make money off my physical differences.
  • Disabilty or no, I can't stand all the bubbling hype his PR machine has spewed all over. I'd also like to know just what his foundation actually does, as I couldn't find any information detailing its activities on his site. Oh, and Kyle: asking people to buy you an SUV is tacky. Spend your own money and people will have a lot more respect for you.
  • freethought, he probably wrestles freestyle as opposed to Greco-Roman, so less chance of being thrown. Of course, there's no reason his pain threshold is any different to anyone else's, though, so he's probably treated like anyone else.
  • does quadrilateral phocomelia trip any more easily off of the tongue? No, but it gives a more accurate idea of what we're talking about.
  • freethought, he probably wrestles freestyle as opposed to Greco-Roman Regardless, my first move would be to jump over him to psychologically distract (audience laughter); then I would reverse bear hug him and tickle. WWCSD? What would Cael Sanderson do?
  • Heh. What I wonder though is how they determine his weight class. He'll be a whole lot lighter than anyone of his age and experience, and they won't have him wrestling grade-school kids. Maybe he's almost-state champ because there's no one for him to wrestle. (My brother is scrawny and went several seasons as champ of his weight with only friendly exhibition matches against heavier kids because he was an odd weight.)
  • I didn't think of that. He weighs 103 lbs, which would put him in the very lightest high-school wrestling weight class. Having tiny freshmen as opponents probably doesn't hurt his record, either.