Jessica Cox

{{Infobox person

| name = Jessica Cox

| image = Jessica Cox on UPROXX.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Cox interviewed by UPROXX in 2017

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|02|02}}[http://www.rightfooted.com About Jessica]. rightfooted.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2011.

| birth_place = Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States

| nationality = American

| other_names = {{hlist|In Dodowa|Ghana: Ayerkie Dede{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}} }}

| education = Bachelor of Science in Psychology

| alma_mater = University of Arizona

| occupation = {{hlist|motivational speaking|keynote speaker}}

| years_active = 2004–present

| employer = Jessica Cox Motivational Services

| known_for = {{hlist|Armless surfing|armless scuba diving|armless Ercoupe pilot|armless Taekwondo}}

| notable_works =

| spouse = Patrick Chamberlain[https://www.fuse.tv/videos/2017/05/right-footed-jessica-cox-marriage-husband-interview Jessica Cox Husband Interview]. FUSE TV. Retrieved on September 14, 2018.

| awards = Guinness World Record: The Only Pilot to Fly With Their Feet, Inspiration Awards for Women 2012: Most Aspirational, Tucson Woman of the Year,{{cite web |title=Woman of the Year |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl1YMTWhQYZ/ |access-date=9 May 2023}} Honorary Doctorate{{cite web |title=Honorary Doctorate Universidad Santander |url=https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7055562230553079808/ |access-date=9 May 2023}}

| website = {{URL|www.jessicacox.com}}

}}

Jessica Cox (born February 2, 1983) is the world's first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association.[http://www.disaboomlive.com/Blogs/saydrah/archive/2008/11/10/jessica-cox-has-one-pilot-s-license-two-black-belts-and-zero-arms.aspx Jessica Cox has One Pilot's License, Two Black Belts, and Zero Arms.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726214008/http://www.disaboomlive.com/Blogs/saydrah/archive/2008/11/10/jessica-cox-has-one-pilot-s-license-two-black-belts-and-zero-arms.aspx |date=July 26, 2011 }}. DisaboomLive. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.[http://rightfooted.com/index.php/life/ About Jessica] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209060306/http://rightfooted.com/index.php/life/ |date=February 9, 2011 }}. Right Footed. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/meet-worlds-first-armless-pilot-jessica-cox/story-e6frev00-1111118266349 Meet world's first armless pilot Jessica Cox | thetelegraph.com.au]. Dailytelegraph.com.au (December 9, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011. She was born without arms due to a rare birth defect.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3681441/Woman-born-with-no-arms-becomes-first-pilot-to-fly-plane-using-only-feet.html Woman born with no arms becomes first pilot to fly plane using only feet]. Telegraph (December 8, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.

Early life

Jessica Cox graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in communications.

Cox has not used prosthetic arms since she turned 14. Using her feet as most people use their hands, she is able, among other things, to drive an unmodified car with an unrestricted license, to type on a keyboard at 25 words per minute, to pump her own gas, and to put in and remove her contact lenses.[http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/messina/Content?oid=1306035 Messina | Messina]. Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.[http://www.incfit.org/node/245 Learning to Scuba Dive Regardless of Disability Status | Inclusive Fitness Jessica cox flies the airplane with both feet Coalition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925230349/http://www.incfit.org/node/245 |date=September 25, 2017 }}. Incfit.org (February 3, 2010). Retrieved on April 9, 2011. She is also a certified scuba diver.

Career

Jessica Cox flew in a single engine airplane for the first time via Wright Flight in 2004. Jessica earned her pilot's certificate on October 10, 2008 after three years of training and is qualified to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet. She received her flight training through an Able Flight scholarship and soloed under the instruction of Parrish Traweek.[http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2008/12/02/104035-new-feat-with-her-feet-tucsonan-born-minus-arms-earns-pilot-s-license/ New feat with her feet: Tucsonan, born minus arms, earns pilot's license – Tucson Citizen Morgue (1992–2009)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009003517/http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/2008/12/02/104035-new-feat-with-her-feet-tucsonan-born-minus-arms-earns-pilot-s-license/ |date=October 9, 2011 }}. Tucsoncitizen.com (December 2, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.

Cox's Sport Pilot Certificate is for an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, which the Federal Aviation Administration has designated a light sport aircraft. Designed in the 1940s, the Ercoupe was built without rudder pedals. Instead, the rudder is interconnected with the ailerons through the yoke. This unique design allows Cox to control the airplane with one foot controlling the yoke while the other foot controls the throttle.EAA. (July 24, 2015). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1YnzALBMPI Ercoupes Celebrate 75th Anniversary at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015]. Retrieved from YouTube August 21, 2015.

In 2019, Cox received a 1946 Ercoupe 415-C (Serial number #3153) with tail number N26R. She has stated she will use the airplane to promote the mission of Rightfooted Foundation International that "disability does not mean inability."{{cite news |last1=Casanova |first1=Stephanie |title=Armless pilot Jessica Cox of Tucson gets her own plane, thanks to a generous fan |url=https://tucson.com/news/local/armless-pilot-jessica-cox-of-tucson-gets-her-own-plane-thanks-to-a-generous-fan/article_f31dfeaf-8371-5b8c-844b-d67f1ef149df.html |access-date=24 May 2021 |work=Arizona Daily Star |date=12 August 2019}} In July 2020, Cox used the airplane to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by taking retired Senator Tom Harkin on a flight near Washington, DC.{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Julie |title=ARMLESS PILOT CELEBRATES ADA ANNIVERSARY IN FLIGHT |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/july/24/armless-pilot-celebrates-ada-anniversary-in-flight |access-date=24 May 2021 |publisher=AOPA |date=24 July 2020}} Senator Harkin had introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act to the US Senate in 1990.

File:Jessica Cox board breaking.jpg a board in 2017]]

At the age of 10, Cox began training in taekwondo at a school in her hometown of Sierra Vista.[http://www.rightfooted.com About Jessica]. rightfooted.com. Retrieved on August 21, 2015. At the age of 14, she earned her first black belt. While in college at the University of Arizona Cox restarted her Taekwondo training at an American Taekwondo Association club on campus. In an effort to help future students without the use of arms, the instructors created an entire training curriculum by modifying the standard material from the ATA. For example, instead of a punch Cox executes a knee strike.Jessica Cox Motivational Services. (2010). Jessica Cox Motivational Services. "Taekwondo." DVD Cox has since gone on to earn her second and third degree black belts in the ATA. Cox has also earned the title of 2014 Arizona State Champion in forms. She did not compete in a special abilities ring.Cox, Jessica. [https://www.facebook.com/JCMSofficial/info?tab=milestone Jessica Cox's Facebook page, Milestones]. Retrieved August 21, 2015.

In 2019, Cox became a fourth degree black belt.{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Jessica |url=https://www.facebook.com/JCMSofficial/posts/i-would-never-have-guessed-i-would-get-my-4th-degree-black-belt-test-results-on-/2917606631588938/ |website=Facebook |access-date=24 May 2021|title=I would never have guessed I would get my 4th-degree black belt test results}}

Cox works as a motivational speaker and has shared her message in 26 different countries.

In 2014, Cox competed in the 40 mile segment of El Tour de Tucson.Guthrie, Megan. (December 3, 2014). [http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2014/12/armless-athlete-rides-in-el-tour-de-tucson/ Armless athlete rides in El Tour de Tucson]. Retrieved August 21, 2015.

In 2015, Cox published an autobiographical self-help book, Disarm Your Limits,Cox, Jessica (2015), Disarm Your Limits, Tucson, {{ISBN|978-0-9863627-0-5}} in order to inspire people to overcome their own challenges through the lessons she has learned in her life.Reyes, Anthony Victor. (June 10, 2015), [http://www.kvoa.com/story/29173693/worlds-first-armless-pilot-returns-to-tucson-for-book-signing World's first armless pilot returns to Tucson for book signing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094130/http://www.kvoa.com/story/29173693/worlds-first-armless-pilot-returns-to-tucson-for-book-signing |date=March 4, 2016 }}, KVOA, retrieved August 21, 2015

Media influence

File:Jessica Cox Driving Without Arms.jpg electric car in 2019]]

Cox is the subject of the documentary Right Footed.[http://www.rightfootedmovie.com RIGHTFOOTED A Documentary]. www.rightfootedmovie.com. Retrieved on April 23, 2014. The film is directed by Emmy Award winning filmmaker Nick Spark. The documentary chronicles Cox' life, mentorship, and humanitarian trips to Ethiopia and the Philippines, as well as her efforts to pass the CRPD in the US Senate.{{cite web|url=http://rightfootedmovie.com/rightfooted-blog.html |title=Rightfooted Blog |access-date=April 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424075211/http://rightfootedmovie.com/rightfooted-blog.html |archive-date=April 24, 2014 }}

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.{{cite news|last1=Sinclair|first1=Kyle|title=Expect more Emirati women in engineering, young UAE inventor says|url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/technology/expect-more-emirati-women-in-engineering-young-uae-inventor-says|accessdate=March 19, 2015|work=The National|date=November 15, 2013|location=Abu Dhabi}}

References

External links

[https://archive.today/20140617231136/http://ansblog.com/2009/12/could-you-believe-of-being-a-pilot-without-hands-jessica-cox/ A pilot without hands ]
[http://rightfooted.com/ Jessica Cox's website]
[http://www.rightfootedmovie.com/ Rightfooted, a documentary about Jessica Cox]

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:American activists with disabilities

Category:American amputees

Category:American aviation record holders

Category:American aviators of Asian descent

Category:American disability rights activists

Category:American female taekwondo practitioners

Category:American motivational speakers

Category:American people of Filipino descent

Category:American women aviation record holders

Category:Aviators from Arizona