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Jessica Cox

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Jessica Cox
Cox interviewed byUPROXXin 2017
Born(1983-02-02)February 2, 1983(age 41)[1]
Sierra Vista,Arizona,United States[1]
NationalityAmerican
Other names
EducationBachelor of Science in Psychology[1]
Alma materUniversity of Arizona[1]
Occupations
Years active2005–present
EmployerJessica Cox Motivational Services
Known for
SpousePatrick Chamberlain[2]
AwardsGuinness World Record: The Only Pilot to Fly With Their Feet,[1]Inspiration Awards for Women 2012: Most Aspirational,[1]Tucson Woman of the Year,[3]Honorary Doctorate[4]
Websitewww.jessicacox.com

Jessica Cox(born February 2, 1983) is the world's first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armlessblack-beltin theAmerican Taekwondo Association.[5][6][7]She was born without arms due to a rarebirth defect.[8]

Early life[edit]

Jessica Cox graduated from theUniversity of Arizonain 2005 with a bachelor's degree inpsychologyand a minor in communications.[1][8][9]

Cox has not usedprostheticarms since she turned 14.[10]Using her feet as most people use their hands, she is able, among other things, to drive an unmodified car with an unrestrictedlicense,to type on akeyboardat 25 words per minute, to pump her own gas, and to put in and remove hercontact lenses.[9][11]She is also a certifiedscuba diver.[9]

Career[edit]

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 alight-sport aircraftto altitudes of 10,000 feet. She received her flight training through an Able Flight scholarship and soloed under the instruction of Parrish Traweek.[5][8][10]

Cox's Sport Pilot Certificate is for anERCO 415-C Ercoupewhich theFederal Aviation Administrationhas designated a light sport aircraft. Designed in the 1940s, the Ercoupe was built without rudder pedals. Instead, therudderis interconnected with theaileronsthrough theyoke.This unique design allows Cox to control the airplane with one foot controlling the yoke while the other foot controls the throttle.[12]

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."[13]In July 2020, Cox used the airplane to celebrate the 30th anniversary of theAmericans with Disabilities Actby taking retiredSenator Tom Harkinon a flight nearWashington, DC.[14]Senator Harkin had introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act to theUS Senatein 1990.

Coxbreakinga board in 2017

At the age of 10, Cox began training intaekwondoat a school in her hometown of Sierra Vista.[15]At the age of 14, she earned her first black belt.[15]While in college at theUniversity of ArizonaCox restarted her Taekwondo training at anAmerican Taekwondo Associationclub 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 theATA.[15]For example, instead of a punch Cox executes a knee strike.[16]Cox has since gone on to earn her second and third degree black belts in theATA.Cox has also earned the title of 2014 Arizona State Champion in forms. She did not compete in a special abilities ring.[17]

In 2019, Cox became a fourth degree black belt.[18]

Cox works as amotivational speakerand has shared her message in 26 different countries.[1][9]

In 2014, Cox competed in the 40 mile segment of El Tour de Tucson.[19]

In 2015, Cox published an autobiographical self-help book,Disarm Your Limits,[20]in order to inspire people to overcome their own challenges through the lessons she has learned in her life.[21]

Media influence[edit]

Cox driving aTesla, Inc.electric car in 2019

Cox is the subject of the documentaryRight Footed.[22]The film is directed byEmmy Awardwinning filmmakerNick Spark.[22]The documentary chronicles Cox' life,mentorship,humanitarian trips toEthiopiaand thePhilippines,as well as her efforts to pass theCRPDin the USSenate.[23]

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 engineerReem Al Marzouqiwas inspired by Cox.[24]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefghiAbout Jessica.rightfooted.com. Retrieved on December 8, 2011.
  2. ^Jessica Cox Husband Interview.FUSE TV. Retrieved on September 14, 2018.
  3. ^"Woman of the Year".RetrievedMay 9,2023.
  4. ^"Honorary Doctorate Universidad Santander".RetrievedMay 9,2023.
  5. ^abJessica Cox has One Pilot's License, Two Black Belts, and Zero Arms.ArchivedJuly 26, 2011, at theWayback Machine.DisaboomLive. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  6. ^About JessicaArchivedFebruary 9, 2011, at theWayback Machine.Right Footed. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  7. ^Meet world's first armless pilot Jessica Cox | thetelegraph.com.au.Dailytelegraph.com.au (December 9, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  8. ^abcWoman born with no arms becomes first pilot to fly plane using only feet.Telegraph (December 8, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  9. ^abcdMessina | Messina.Tucson Weekly. Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  10. ^abNew feat with her feet: Tucsonan, born minus arms, earns pilot's license – Tucson Citizen Morgue (1992–2009)ArchivedOctober 9, 2011, at theWayback Machine.Tucsoncitizen.com (December 2, 2008). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  11. ^Learning to Scuba Dive Regardless of Disability Status | Inclusive Fitness Jessica cox flies the airplane with both feet CoalitionArchivedSeptember 25, 2017, at theWayback Machine.Incfit.org (February 3, 2010). Retrieved on April 9, 2011.
  12. ^EAA. (July 24, 2015).Ercoupes Celebrate 75th Anniversary at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.Retrieved from YouTube August 21, 2015.
  13. ^Casanova, Stephanie (August 12, 2019)."Armless pilot Jessica Cox of Tucson gets her own plane, thanks to a generous fan".Arizona Daily Star.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
  14. ^Walker, Julie (July 24, 2020)."ARMLESS PILOT CELEBRATES ADA ANNIVERSARY IN FLIGHT".AOPA.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
  15. ^abcAbout Jessica.rightfooted.com. Retrieved on August 21, 2015.
  16. ^Jessica Cox Motivational Services. (2010).Jessica Cox Motivational Services."Taekwondo." DVD
  17. ^Cox, Jessica.Jessica Cox's Facebook page, Milestones.Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  18. ^Cox, Jessica."I would never have guessed I would get my 4th-degree black belt test results".Facebook.RetrievedMay 24,2021.
  19. ^Guthrie, Megan. (December 3, 2014).Armless athlete rides in El Tour de Tucson.Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  20. ^Cox, Jessica (2015),Disarm Your Limits,Tucson,ISBN978-0-9863627-0-5
  21. ^Reyes, Anthony Victor. (June 10, 2015),World's first armless pilot returns to Tucson for book signingArchivedMarch 4, 2016, at theWayback Machine,KVOA,retrieved August 21, 2015
  22. ^abRIGHTFOOTED A Documentary.www.rightfootedmovie.com. Retrieved on April 23, 2014.
  23. ^"Rightfooted Blog".Archived fromthe originalon April 24, 2014.RetrievedApril 23,2014.
  24. ^Sinclair, Kyle (November 15, 2013)."Expect more Emirati women in engineering, young UAE inventor says".The National.Abu Dhabi.RetrievedMarch 19,2015.

External links[edit]

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