Jessica Cox

Jessica Cox
Born February 2, 1983[1]
Sierra Vista, Arizona, U.S[1]
Residence Tucson, Arizona
Nationality American
Other names In Dodowa, Ghana: Ayerkie Dede
Ethnicity Filipino American[1]
Education Bachelor of Science in Psychology[1]
Alma mater University of Arizona[1]
Occupation motivational speaking, keynote speaker
Years active Since November 2005
Employer Jessica Cox Motivational Services
Known for Armless surfing, armless scuba diving, armless Ercoupe pilot, armless Taekwondo[1]
Religion Catholic[1]
Spouse(s) Patrick Chamberlain
Awards Guinness World Record: The Only Pilot to Fly With Their Feet,[1] US Inspiration Awards for Women 2012: Most Aspirational[1]
Website
www.rightfooted.com

Jessica Cox (born 1983 in Arizona) is the world's first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association (she now has two black belts in Taekwondo).[2][3][4] She was born without arms due to a rare birth defect.[5] She earned her pilot's license on October 10, 2008, after three years of training, and is qualified to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet; Jessica Cox flew in a single engine airplane for the first time via Wright Flight. She received her flight training through an Able Flight scholarship and soloed under the instruction of Parrish Traweek.[2][5][6]

Work

Cox has not used prosthetic arms since she turned 14.[6] Using her feet as most people use their hands, she is able, among other things, to drive a car (she has an unrestricted license and drives a car without modifications), to type on a keyboard (25 words per minute), to pump her own gas, and to put in and remove her Contact lenses.[7][8] She is also a certified SCUBA diver.[7] Cox holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona and works as a motivational speaker and has shared her message in 20 different countries.[1][5][7]

The patented invention of a "Lower Extremity Vehicle Navigation Control System", which allows people to drive a car without the use of their upper body, by the Emirati engineer Reem Al Marzouqi was inspired by Cox.[9]

Right Footed

Cox is the subject of an upcoming documentary titled "Right Footed, A Documentary Film About Jessica Cox."[10] The film is directed by Emmy Award winning filmmaker Nick Spark.[10] The documentary chronicles Cox' life, mentorship, humanitarian trips to Ethiopia and the Philippines, as well as her efforts to pass the CRPD in the US Senate.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 About Jessica. rightfooted.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-08.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jessica Cox has One Pilot's License, Two Black Belts, and Zero Arms.. DisaboomLive. Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  3. ↑ About Jessica. Right Footed. Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  4. ↑ Meet world's first armless pilot Jessica Cox | thetelegraph.com.au. Dailytelegraph.com.au (December 9, 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Woman born with no arms becomes first pilot to fly plane using only feet. Telegraph (December 8, 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 New feat with her feet: Tucsonan, born minus arms, earns pilot’s license – Tucson Citizen Morgue (1992–2009). Tucsoncitizen.com (December 2, 2008). Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Messina | Messina. Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  8. ↑ Learning to Scuba Dive Regardless of Disability Status | Inclusive Fitness Jessica cox flies the airplane with both feet Coalition. Incfit.org (February 3, 2010). Retrieved on 2011-04-09.
  9. ↑ Sinclair, Kyle (15 November 2013). "Expect more Emirati women in engineering, young UAE inventor says". The National (Abu Dhabi). Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 RIGHTFOOTED A Documentary. www.rightfootedmovie.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-23.
  11. ↑ "Rightfooted Blog". Retrieved April 23, 2014.

External links