A mum with no arms has passed her driving test using her feet to steer.
Dejana Backo was born without her upper limbs and while this comes with challenges, she has never let it get in the way of living her life – finding unique solutions to everyday tasks.
Last week, the 28-year-old passed her driving test – first time – using her feet.
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Since passing this milestone, Dejana has shared an image of herself in her car on Instagram, gathering over 95,400 likes.
“I found a trustworthy instructor. It was strange for him the first time he got into the car with me, but he quickly relaxed,” the artist, from Serbia, told What’s The Jam.
“Somehow, I didn’t have a fear of driving, the bigger issue for me was the tests.
“I drive a car with an automatic transmission and that’s what I took the test with.”
Dejana first enrolled in driving school in 2020 but gave up to focus on sports and painting, and to give birth to her daughter Lara in 2023, with her partner, Marko Nezic, 24.
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She said: “After a few months, I gave up studying for the theoretical tests. Honestly, I didn’t feel a great need to pass because my husband, Marko, drives.
“But since having our daughter, driving became more necessary.”
She returned to lessons and after just four months passed her driving test at the first attempt.
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She said: “I don’t see myself as someone who will drive constantly, but I am still happy because I achieved another goal I set for myself.
“I think I’ll use driving the most when I need to go to training alone or to help Marko a bit when we travel long distances.”
Dejana drives with one foot on the steering wheel and the other on the gas and brake pedals.
She said: “I have an excellent feeling when steering with my foot, and I haven’t made any major driving mistakes so far.
“I drive carefully and focus on the road.
“I got used to it independently in controlled conditions where I first sat behind the wheel, and I learned all the details with the instructor.”
In the post shared on social media, Dejana can be seen in the driver’s seat with a foot on the wheel and smiling at the camera.
She captioned the pic: “There are manual controls, there are various adaptations keys, for lights, for wipers, for turn signals.
“All of this has existed for a long time and is adapted for disabled people. And it is so simple to drive.”
Branislav said: “You are a unstoppable force. I’ve never seen a stronger person than you.”
Ira wrote: “Bravo.. u are awesome”
Vedrana commented: “Are you a real thing? Bravo and bravo a hundred more times.”
Radojka added: “Congratulations beautiful, and may the dear God protect you.”
Katarina enthused: “Woman you are an inspiration to all of us, go ahead, the sky is the limit.”
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