Kyle Maynard 

Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard are both figures of social change in their sport. Kyle Maynard was a rock climber and he broke the disability barrier. He is the first quadruple amputee to ascend Mountain Kilimanjaro with no aids of prosthetics. He is the founder of the No Excuses CrossFit gym. Also, he is a champion wrestler. 

Both Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard had support from their family. Jackie Robinson's wife supported his baseball career. In Promises to Keep, By Sharon Robinson, Jackie's wife, Rachel remembers,  "During Jack's baseball career I attended every home game." Kyle Maynard was supported by his parents. Kyle once said, "My parents help me develop tools to overcome my challenges." Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard both got told that they wouldn't succeed. Jackie was born in a segregated world where he was told that he could not play sports with white kids or adults. In Promises to Keep, by Sharon Robinson on page 34 it says, “The Royals learned there had been letters and calls threatening violence and a boycott if my father appeared on the field.” This explains that people were once again telling him not to play with white people. Kyle Maynard was also told that he couldn't succeed. On the website tamuc.com it says, “While Maynard admits that it made logical sense that he would be unable to succeed as a wrestler, he went on to become one of the nation's top 12 high school wrestlers.” This tells us that he wouldn't give up despite being told it was impossible. 

Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard played different sports. Jackie Robinson was a talented Major League Baseball player. In Promises to Keep on page 34 it says, “During his one season with Monteral, he won the batting championship… and was voted Most Valuable Player in the International League.” This tells us that he was a good player. Kyle Maynard was a successful wrestler. On tamuc.com it says, “Maynard decided to recommit to living with no excuses with a quest to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro… Maynard finished the 19,340-foot crawl to the summit and fulfilled his promise on Jan. 15, 2012.” This explains that even with no arms he was still able to climb a mountain. Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard also faced different challenges. Jackie had to fight against racism. In Promises to Keep on page 34 it says, "During one game a Syracuse player tossed a black cat toward him yelling, 'Hey Jackie, There's your cousin clowning on the field.'" This tells us that Jackie had to deal with racism. Kyle Maynard had to adapt and learn new ways to achieve his goals. On tamuc.com it says, “Maynard's own path to “no excuses” came with roadblocks. Beyond learning the adaptation-free ways to do the daily tasks many people may take for granted, such as getting dressed or feeding themselves, Maynard recounted nights of crying himself to sleep as a child, wishing to wake up with arms and legs.” This tells us that he persevered even if sometimes he wanted to have arms and legs like everybody else. 

Both Jackie Robinson and Kyle Maynard broke barriers. Jackie broke the color barrier and Kyle broke the disability barrier. Both of these men overcame being told that would not succeed. And both show us that accomplishing our dreams is possible.