According to CBS Atlanta, Kyle Maynard — a quadruple amputee who was born with a rare condition called congenital amputation — has decided he will attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in January to help raise awareness for disabled children in Africa. Consistent with everything else he has done throughout his life, the 25-year-old will not use prosthetics to assist him in any way. He will use only rubber bicycle tires to protect his limbs. No one has ever climbed Kilimanjaro without the use of prosthetics.
Climbing a 19,340-foot mountain will undoubtedly be a big deal for Maynard, but no more so than it would the average person. Despite his condition, Maynard was a tremendous wrestler in high school and played football as well as fought in MMA. He uses nothing but a simple step stool in his house to assist him with day-to-day household tasks. Kyle was also one of the best typers in his class and has always had extremely neat handwriting. How is that possible when you have no hands? You got me.
You may already be familiar with Maynard because of his appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show or HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He was also given an award at the 2004 ESPYs for Best Athlete With a Disability. As for why Maynard is climbing Kilimanjaro, that’s simple.
“I am climbing because it will be the hardest thing I have ever attempted,” he explained. “I am climbing because I can.”
How many of you can honestly say you’ve ever chosen to do something simply because it will be the most difficult thing you have ever done? That’s what I thought. If you want to hear and see more of Maynard’s amazing story, check out this video.
H/T to The Post Game for the story
