It was quite a search for sixteen-year-old Mathijs Luijks from Lepelstraat. He had to find a driving school where he could get his tractor license despite his dwarfism. A driving school owner from Roosendaal came to help and Mathijs got his piece of paper in a specially adapted tractor. “You are wider, heavier and longer than a car. That gives a good feeling.”
He sits behind the wheel in the meter-high cabin with a broad smile. Mathijs Luijks didn’t think he could end up in the driver’s seat for a long time. Mathijs is 1.26 meters tall and has dwarfism. He thought that with these qualities he was not eligible to obtain a driver’s license. Until driving school owner Wim Luijten had a tractor modified and opened the door for Mathijs.
“We immediately thought: we are going to help him,” says Beau Luijten of the driving school. “We gave him books to study for his theory exam. This was followed by a driving test with the tractor by the CBR, which concerns driving licenses. These were things that had to be done first before we could continue.”
“It’s a dream come true.”
On January 9, Mathijs took his exam in the modified tractor. With elevated pedals and a pillow in his back, he completed it successfully. That feels like a real milestone for Mathijs. He beams when he talks about his achievement. “Being able to work with the tractor and go on the road is a dream come true. From an early age I wanted to drive a tractor and become a farmer. It gives a good feeling to drive one. In a tractor like this you are wider, heavier and longer than a car.”
Father Jan-Dries Luijks is excited that his son is going to drive around with such a big colossus, but is also very proud. “We thought for a long time that it wouldn’t be possible. You couldn’t be more proud that he has realized his passion.”
A photo of Mathijs has been hung in the canteen of the driving school. As an example and source of inspiration for others. Mathijs thinks his achievement is proof that everything is possible for people like him. “If you want to go for something, you should really go for it. Go for it and try it!”
