[VIDEO] Persistence Rewarded: Armless Girl Overcomes 5-Year Struggle to Pass Driving Test

Jilumol Mariet, as stated by the Kerala government, has become the first woman in Asia to obtain a driver’s license for a car despite being born without arms.

Jilumol Mariet, a 32-year-old graphic designer residing in Kochi, a major city in southwestern India, has been pursuing her dream of obtaining a driver’s license for several years. However, her journey has been more challenging compared to that of ordinary individuals.

Born without arms, Jilumol Mariet had to train her legs to function as her hands. Thus, obtaining a driver’s license holds significant importance for her. She has always envisioned being able to drive a car using her legs, particularly to visit her home in Idukki district, Kerala, India. However, the existing regulations and laws initially posed restrictions on her goal.

Five years ago, Jilumol’s application for a driver’s license was rejected by the authorities. However, she remained determined and decided to appeal to the State Disability Commission. Acknowledging the unique circumstances of her case, the commission requested the local government to find a suitable solution. Consequently, the Transport Department assigned the Motor Vehicles Office of Ernakulam district to thoroughly examine the case and propose appropriate measures.

After careful consideration, the government proposed modifications to the car to cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities, including Jilumol Mariet. Unfortunately, no local company was capable of implementing these changes. Fortunately, a mechanical company in Kochi stepped forward and agreed to assist Jilumol Mariet. They began working on enhancing the interior details of a 2018 Suzuki Celerio.

As a result, Jilumol Mariet can now operate major controls of the car, such as the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel, with her feet. Features like audio and phone adjustments can be activated and deactivated using voice recognition. Moreover, the seating position in the Suzuki Celerio has been adjusted to raise Jilumol Mariet’s height. The process of modifying this A-segment hatchback took approximately one year.

Subsequently, the authorities conducted rigorous tests to ensure Jilumol Mariet’s ability to drive the car safely on the road. She successfully passed the initial driving test for learner drivers in March of this year. In November, she passed the practical driving test while using the modified Suzuki Celerio. After waiting for six long years, Jilumol Mariet ultimately acquired her driver’s license for a car and was even commended by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

TT (Tuoitrethudo)