Fans fume after Champion Survivor Damien Thomlinson is eliminated
FANS of Survivor have taken to social media to vent their frustration after double amputee and former special forces commando Damien Thomlinson was sent home, but his eviction comes with a silver lining.
Confidential
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WHEN double amputee and former special forces commando Damien Thomlinson signed on to take part in Survivor, he had something to prove.
Despite losing both legs while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, Thomlinson wanted to show people with a disability that they could do anything they set their mind to.
But fans of the Ten reality show were furious when the 38-year-old last night became the second Champion voted off, arguing that his eviction sent the message that people with disabilities are a liability.
“I’m proud of the way I played the show,” Thomlinson said. “I gave it my all and I’m proud of that and hopefully it will encourage people to still take that step out.
“Hopefully anyone who is in a similar position will use that as a little piece of motivation to do something they won’t expect them to be able to do, give them the confidence to step up. I would do it again tomorrow.”
Nooooo not Damien !! #SurvivorAU
— MelissaPenfold (@MelissaPenfold) August 6, 2018
That is some buuuuullshit. #SurvivorAU
— philly cheese spread (@philip_charles) August 6, 2018
Nooooo! I hope commando Steve and Moana orchestrate the downfall of all of those who voted for Damian #SurvivorAU
— Just here for the comments too (@amyj77) August 6, 2018
Cowardly voting. #survivorAU
— Bucks’ beard 2.0 (@joferguson9) August 6, 2018
this can not be justified, they literally voted him cause hes disabled not cause hes likeable or anything like that GRRRR #survivorau
— australiansurivorstan (@lanarianastan) August 6, 2018
So they “want to win challengesâ€... who won them one of their first challenges? Damian was a strong tribe member. How many challenges have the rest of them won for the tribe? #SurvivorAU
— Kim (@kimberrlily) August 6, 2018
Fans of the show were critical about Thomlinson’s eviction, given he was the star of the first episode with his pinpoint accuracy and calmness under pressure helping his tribe win the first challenge.
“It was confusing because they were talking about keeping the team ‘strong’ and I hadn’t lost a challenge at that stage,” he added.
“I pulled my weight when it came to carrying firewood and building things and doing everything I could.
“I feel like it might have been a bit different if I have spoken up. I made an error in not speaking up at the time I needed to.”
But there is a silver lining for Thomlinson, who revealed to Confidential he and his partner Abbey are expecting a child in November, which will enable him to tick off another challenge on his bucket list — fatherhood.
“We’ve got a little baby girl on the way and that’s terrifying. It’s been quite the ride, but I really can’t wait for the whole experience, it’s amazing.
“It’s probably easier being shot at or at war than thinking about the daunting thought of raising a child. But, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”