CHENNAI: A video clip showing Thansen K using his stumps to turn the car key before sliding into his red Swift was playing in loop on doctors’ phones at Govt Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in K K Nagar. They cheered on as the 30-year-old, who lost both his hands in an accident, fastened his seat belt, placed his foot on the steering wheel and drove off.
On April 22, Thansen became the first double-hand amputee to obtain a driving licence in Tamil Nadu.Chennai North RTO gave him a 10-year licence to drive a modified car after doctors at the Institute of Rehabilitation certified him fit. Thansen has not only inspired others with disabilities but has also helped doctors develop a new protocol for fitness certification. “I am happy to drive. The licence gives me better mobility, independence and safety,” he told TOI.
Thansen’s hands were amputated below the elbow after he came in contact with a high-tension wire when he was 10 years old. Initially, he and his family were devastated.
Unfit to drive using his hands, man masters driving with his feet
However, he gradually learned to perform his daily chores independently. “I learned to write using my stump. Soon, I learned to swim and play drums,” said Thansen, a lawyer pursuing his post-graduation in law. “I play drums at concerts including the one run by actor-director Raghava Lawrence. I never feel I have a disability till someone asks me about my missing hands,” he said.
Inspired by the story of Vikram Agnihotri from Indore, a double-hand amputee who obtained his driving licence in 2016, Thansen learned to drive five years ago. But he wasn’t sure how to get a driving licence. Waiting for public transport with his wife and infant at odd hours in remote places left him frustrated.
In December 2023, when he read about an armless woman obtaining a driving licence in Kerala, Thansen became hopeful. Two months later he met doctors at the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. People with disabilities must be certified fit by this hospital to obtain a driving licence. “He had pictures and videos of him driving the car. He wanted us to certify him fit. But I wasn’t sure,” said Dr S Valavan, a post-graduate medical student. Thansen drove the car on the hospital campus.
A three-member team headed by hospital director Dr P Thirunavukkarasu and senior doctors Dr A Rajakumar and Dr Chitrarasu Krish evaluated his skills. “That’s when we encountered a technical barrier,” said assistant professor Chitrarasu. “Thansen couldn’t reach the wheel and had no hand grip. Even prostheses weren’t helpful. Without handgrip and reach we couldn’t certify him. We asked him if he could drive using his legs.”
A month later, Thansen returned to the hospital. “He had mastered driving with his legs. His car was an automatic vehicle modified to suit his needs. He used his right foot to control the steering wheel and his left foot to push the accelerator and apply the brakes. He used the switches for indicators, wiper, horn and lights whenever required,” said Chitrarasu.
Three doctors on the panel evaluated him independently for his reaction time, agility and speed. A team of doctors including Dr Athul Ved prepared a detailed report for the RTO explaining why they declared him fit for the licence. Thansen was permitted to drive under the ‘adapted vehicle category‘.
As he drives his family around the city, the rehabilitation institute is getting inquiries from more amputees.
On April 22, Thansen became the first double-hand amputee to obtain a driving licence in Tamil Nadu.Chennai North RTO gave him a 10-year licence to drive a modified car after doctors at the Institute of Rehabilitation certified him fit. Thansen has not only inspired others with disabilities but has also helped doctors develop a new protocol for fitness certification. “I am happy to drive. The licence gives me better mobility, independence and safety,” he told TOI.
Thansen’s hands were amputated below the elbow after he came in contact with a high-tension wire when he was 10 years old. Initially, he and his family were devastated.
Unfit to drive using his hands, man masters driving with his feet
However, he gradually learned to perform his daily chores independently. “I learned to write using my stump. Soon, I learned to swim and play drums,” said Thansen, a lawyer pursuing his post-graduation in law. “I play drums at concerts including the one run by actor-director Raghava Lawrence. I never feel I have a disability till someone asks me about my missing hands,” he said.
Inspired by the story of Vikram Agnihotri from Indore, a double-hand amputee who obtained his driving licence in 2016, Thansen learned to drive five years ago. But he wasn’t sure how to get a driving licence. Waiting for public transport with his wife and infant at odd hours in remote places left him frustrated.
In December 2023, when he read about an armless woman obtaining a driving licence in Kerala, Thansen became hopeful. Two months later he met doctors at the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. People with disabilities must be certified fit by this hospital to obtain a driving licence. “He had pictures and videos of him driving the car. He wanted us to certify him fit. But I wasn’t sure,” said Dr S Valavan, a post-graduate medical student. Thansen drove the car on the hospital campus.
A three-member team headed by hospital director Dr P Thirunavukkarasu and senior doctors Dr A Rajakumar and Dr Chitrarasu Krish evaluated his skills. “That’s when we encountered a technical barrier,” said assistant professor Chitrarasu. “Thansen couldn’t reach the wheel and had no hand grip. Even prostheses weren’t helpful. Without handgrip and reach we couldn’t certify him. We asked him if he could drive using his legs.”
A month later, Thansen returned to the hospital. “He had mastered driving with his legs. His car was an automatic vehicle modified to suit his needs. He used his right foot to control the steering wheel and his left foot to push the accelerator and apply the brakes. He used the switches for indicators, wiper, horn and lights whenever required,” said Chitrarasu.
Three doctors on the panel evaluated him independently for his reaction time, agility and speed. A team of doctors including Dr Athul Ved prepared a detailed report for the RTO explaining why they declared him fit for the licence. Thansen was permitted to drive under the ‘adapted vehicle category‘.
As he drives his family around the city, the rehabilitation institute is getting inquiries from more amputees.