A woman from south India overcame a condition that left her born without hands and learned to drive using only her feet.
When Jilumol Mariet Thomas, 28, applied for a driving licence three years ago, officials thought it was a bad idea for her to do so.
Jilumol was born with Thalidomide Syndrome, which causes deformities in the hands and legs, and left her without hands.
She hails from a family of a farmer in Karimannoor, her native village near Thodupuzha in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Jilumol first approached transport authorities to obtain a driving license in 2014, but was denied with authorities claiming she needed to demonstrate someone with her condition had obtained such a license before.
After appealing to several different groups, she was eventually allowed to take a test provided she use an appropriately modified vehicle.
In 2018, Jilumol bought her own car, a custom-built Maruti (Indian automobile brand) Celerio-Automatic, which was built with the transport official's guidance and with the required alterations.
Footage of her driving her custom car, filmed on March 15 in Karimannoor, shows her using her feet to unlock her car, turn it on and even shift gears while driving.
Jilumol commmented: ""One can either sit and wail about things one can’t do or overcome fear and emerge victoriously. I chose the latter,”
“It was through my efforts that I bought a car. I had to convince my parents before I could get one. I had moved the High Court in 2018, seeking permission for driving. The Centre has also given its nod to me. Now, the state government has to take the call.
The officials were sceptical during the driving test. I have been refused a licence, but I will fight on and make my dream come true,”
Currently, she resides in Ernakulam, Kerala, where she works as a graphics designer.
