Are there dreams that are not worth the effort? Dreams that are hopeless because they seem so far away? Distance doesn’t play a role for 22-year-old Krithin Paul Pereira, who traveled almost 10,000 kilometers from his home in Kuala Lumpur to Porsche in Weissach with his parents in pursuit of his dream. There he has the opportunity to meet designers and delve into the world of Porsche sports cars, which have fascinated and motivated him for years.
For Pereira, this day is the highlight of his journey, which cannot be measured in kilometers. A journey full of passion, dedication, joy, inspiration, and an overwhelming determination to achieve a specific goal. It’s the story of a dream that initially seems unachievable, but ultimately proves to be well worthwhile – as Pereira demonstrates on this special day. He shares his pictures, drawings of Porsche models, which are spectacular and extraordinary – or, according to designer Stéphane Lenglin, “outstanding and impressive – there’s tons of potential there.”
“It’s unbelievable to see.”
The flight from Malaysia was exhausting, the night short, the excitement overwhelming, and the goal so close. But Pereira is brimming with excitement when he arrives in Weissach. His sheer joy has infected his parents Ashita and Jackson Pereira and his caregiver Jules Bonifacio, all of whom have accompanied him on his trip. Jackson Pereira pushes his son in his wheelchair through the design studio’s enormous display area, with a towering, life-size model of a 911 GT3 in the center. Krithin Paul Pereira laughs and then shrieks with joy. His father places his hand on his shoulder, knowing what this day means to his son. “He’s been waiting such a long time,” he says. “It’s unbelievable to see.”
Krithin has cerebral palsy, a brain disorder caused by injury during birth. Motor skills and fluid speech are a physical challenge for him. “We fought for his life for months,” says his mother. Krithin is still fighting to this day, as he refuses to simply accept his fate. “He firmly believes that everyone has problems. And even if his is bigger, it shouldn’t get in the way of making his dreams come true,” says Ashita Pereira. “His positive attitude will allow him to achieve his goal.” At 22 years of age, Pereira is now at the educational level of other people his age. He completed his final examinations in advance, so that he’d be able to travel to Germany without all the stress. Preparations for university will begin in the near future, with specialization in automotive engineering.
“I’d like to develop a sports car for people with disabilities.” Krithin Paul Pereira
But for now he can look forward to the meetings that will make his dream come true. Porsche designers Stéphane Lenglin and Tobias Benedini greet their guest of honor in the holy hall, which is otherwise used to present new models internally. The conversation soon turns to shapes and proportions, at which point the guest reaches for his pen. Pereira, who usually sits at a table to draw, spends a few minutes sketching a sports car on his lap, which he presents to the fascinated design professionals. “His creativity is so unique,” says Stéphane Lenglin. “He gets the proportions specific to the models just right. It’s extraordinary. As a designer, I’m really impressed by his skills.”
Pereira has worked hard to earn this praise. He began drawing Porsche vehicles in 2018, inspired by his older sister, who was studying architecture at the time. It all started with a Porsche logo. And before long, he was presenting friends and supporters with a whole book full of drawings of Porsche models, which he titled Without Limits.
It’s this passion that makes his work so powerful. “He can express himself through his drawings,” says his mother. “That makes him happy.” Luck will often come up in conversation over the next few days of his trip. Krithin meets with Detlev von Platen, member of the Porsche Executive Board, Sales and Marketing, to whom he calls out in German, “Ich liebe Porsche” (I love Porsche). He has the opportunity to delve even deeper into the brand’s history during an exclusive tour of the Porsche archive at the Porsche Museum and then experience the indescribable power of the sports car he’s so passionate about during a drive in the 911 GT3 at Hockenheimring. His dream has come true. Pereira enjoys the moment – and then gets to thinking.
“I’d like to develop a sports car for people with disabilities,” he says. Krithin Paul Pereira knows what his goal is. And it’s clear to see that he’ll do anything in his power to achieve it. After all, he’s a fighter who demonstrates that every dream is worth the effort. Regardless of how remote it may seem at first.
Info
Text first published in the Porsche magazine Christophorus, No. 406.
Author: Frieder Pfeiffer
Photos: Roderick Aichinger
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