KUALA LUMPUR: A video of a young man born without legs went viral recently for his innovative approach that enables him to drive with just his hands.
In the video, the man, who was seated in the driver's seat of a car, introduces himself as Aiman Skateboard.
Hailing from Melaka, he said he was born without legs and had driven all the way to a workshop in Shah Alam, Selangor, to attend a car group gathering.
"I have been driving for about six to seven years. I am someone who does not let physical limitations affect me. My physical state and condition is in no way a hindrance for me to move around.
"I use it as motivation to move forward. And I always think and remind myself that if there are others who are worse off than me and they are able to succeed in life, then why can't I succeed as well?
"When I decided to get behind the wheel and drive, it was because I wanted to be independent. I did want to trouble nor burden my father, my sisters or my mother, so I worked towards making the tools that I needed to drive a car," he said.
Aiman said that he set everything up and then went to the Road Transport Department (RTD) to obtain the necessary approval and after passing the test, he knew that if he put his mind to it, nothing is impossible or out of reach.
"I did refer here and there in order to get the idea of what sort of tools I would need to fashion in order to drive. Once I knew what I needed, I proceeded to make the necessary tools from recycled metal and alloy," he shared.
In the video, he demonstrates how he uses two custom-made metal rods with grips to operate the accelerator pedal and the brakes. Meanwhile, he uses his left hand to steer and turn on signal lights and wipers.
"I have to be alert, swift and fast in my reflexes and hand movement, coordination when I am driving. I used to be a courier doing deliveries but now I work in an office apart from helping my sister to man a roadside stall," he revealed.When asked if he was open to netizens or members of the public who wanted to help him such as by providing him with better equipment to help him drive, Aiman said that he was open to such kind acts.
"Why not, I don't mind. I have a friend with disability who also drives. The difference is he has no arms and uses his legs to drive. He steers with his left leg and uses his right leg to operate the accelerator pedal and brakes," he said.
Netizens praised Aiman for his positivity, determination and perseverance in not letting his physical limitations hold him back.
@Ime Autopart wrote: "Alhamdulillah. this video should be seen as a fine example and I hope you succeed"
Another person, @Rich Ten, echoed @Ime Autopart's comment by commenting, "Such a special person who is such a good example to society. May your affairs and undertakings be eased and may you be blessed with prosperity.
"Very good, he is tough, resilient and independent. I also salute his friend who drives by only using his legs. They use their limitations as a source of motivation and inspiration and only a select few are able to do what they do," wrote @Mohammad Imran.
The video with a duration of four minutes and fifty-three seconds was uploaded by Galeri Kereta on Monday (Jan 22) and as of time of publication, had garnered 19,000 likes, more than five hundred comments and more than 1,500 shares on Facebook.