In a shocking twist in last night’s gripping episode of Australian Survivor, double amputee Damien Thomlinson was voted off by the tribe thanks to a carefully-crafted tactical move by poker champion Jackie.
The Champions team were sent to tribal council after Jackie caused the team to lose the group challenge, but ultimately it was Damien who was sent home after she convinced the tribe he was a ‘liability’ to their team.
Damien’s elimination caused public outcry and Australian Survivor fans threatened to “boycott” the series because of ableism.
#SurvivorAU swear to god, If this tribe votes out Damien, I’m boycotting Survivor. Disgusted by his tribe mates saying he’s a liability – it’s blatant ableism and simply not true. He’s been smashing the challenges and brings way more to the tribe than Jackie does 😡
— Tilly Baker (@TillyBaker6) August 6, 2018
I’m sorry, but voting out the guy with no legs because he is ‘a liability at challenges’ yet he outperformed many still remaining is weak as shit. Don’t assume he can’t do it just because he is disabled. Big ups Damian! #SurvivorAU
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) August 6, 2018
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Maybe it was the editing but I don't remember Damien performing badly in any of the challenges? I remember him knocking down 3 planks at once in the first immunity? #SurvivorAU
— Annabel F (@annabelcef) August 6, 2018
Nooooo! I hope commando Steve and Moana orchestrate the downfall of all of those who voted for Damian #SurvivorAU
— TeacherIsTeaching (@amyj77) August 6, 2018
So they “want to win challenges”… 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
— K (@kimberrlily) 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
— BRAT(Z) (@stargurl_xcx) August 6, 2018
The 38-year-old, who lost his legs while serving in Afganistan, opened up about time on the series.
“I’m proud of the way I played the show. I gave it my all and I’m proud of that and hopefully it will encourage people to still take that step out,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“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.”
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We were honoured to have a real Aussie hero play Survivor ❤️ Here's what Damien had to say. #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/BGJ7iWVAjc
— SurvivorAU (@Survivor_AU) August 6, 2018
Nikki is obsessed with all things celebrity and dreams she is a long-lost Kardashian. You'll find her binging Netflix's latest 'must-watch' show with a jar of Nutella in one hand.
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