K. Jayalakshmi Becomes First Disabled Tamil Nadu Woman to Reach Everest Base Camp

K. Jayalakshmi, a 58-year-old Higher Grade Assistant at the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), became the first woman with a disability from Tamil Nadu to reach the Mount Everest Base Camp on April 14. Jayalakshmi, who lives with a minimum 40% disability in her right leg due to polio, accomplished the feat following a 14-day trek through challenging terrain.

The decision to join the expedition was made at the last minute, roughly a week before departure. Jayalakshmi was attending a calisthenics class when she learned that several gym members were heading to the Everest Base Camp. The expedition was accompanied by Muthamilselvi, who is Tamil Nadu’s first woman Everester and a summiteer of the highest peak across seven continents. Muthamilselvi encouraged Jayalakshmi and expressed confidence in her ability to complete the trek, giving her the final push to commit to the trip.

Although the Everest expedition came on short notice, Jayalakshmi had prepared through years of physical activity, including calisthenics, strength training, gym workouts, and monthly hiking. Her previous trekking locations include Parvathamalai, Vagamon, Gandikota, and Puligundu. In addition to her decades-long job at LIC, Jayalakshmi works as an emcee outside of office hours, having hosted more than 2,000 events ranging from sabhas to corporate shows.

Before departing, Jayalakshmi secured a sudden 20-day leave from work and obtained necessary workplace clearances, including a vigilance check required due to her position at LIC. Senior officials at the organization encouraged her to pursue the trek. She carried her organization's flag on the expedition and planted it upon reaching the Everest Base Camp on April 14.

During the 14-day trek, Jayalakshmi relied heavily on her left knee, which bore her entire body weight due to the disability in her right leg. She credited years of strength training and physical preparation for helping her navigate the terrain despite the physical risks involved. Jayalakshmi noted that reaching the base camp was a major achievement, as no one in her family had undertaken such a journey before.