Inspirational Story of Ms. Jessica Cox (Half Filipina/ Half American)

Had a chance to watch a commercial in TFC about a girl without two arms and hands but made a huge impact to many. didn't even know she is half Filipino until I really watched the clip and search her info in the internet, the nationality is not an issue admiring this girl. God is really good using these people to reach to us who doesn't have any disabilities but always have complains about life. here is a girl who has full spirit has a good perspective about life and has a bright future ahead of her. I hope by sharing her story like me other people will also see the brightness of life even if we have problems and trials We are all special and love by God we must also do our share as a good Samaritan and as a person we must always believe in ourselves and always reach for our dreams for "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE IF YOU JUST BELIEVE"  written by yushenkeisha

 

Accolades

Guinness World Record: The First Armless Person in the World Ever to Have Obtained a Pilot’s License, 2011

AOPA LIVE Pilots Choice Award 2010: Most Watched Female Aviator

Filipino Women’s Network: 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the U.S., 2009

Published in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, 2009

The Filipino American Journal Award of Excellence, Outstanding Filipino Award, 2008

Jessica’s History

Jessica Cox was born without arms. The doctors do not know why she was born “differently-abled.” But she does. Jessica has made achievements with her feet that most people only dream of. Now she shares her story with people around the world.

Born in 1983 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, Jessica has learned to live her life with her feet. There were many questions at the time about whether Jessica would be able to live a “normal” life. However, Jessica’s father has said he never shed a tear about her birth condition. He had full confidence in her potential. With the support of her parents and family, Jessica became confident in herself as an adult and continued to explore the world with her feet.

As a child, Jessica studied dance in her home town. When the first performance arrived, she asked to be put in the back row. Her dance teacher told her there was no back row. Tentatively she took the stage with the other students and performed her routine. When she finished, the applause from the audience gave her encouragement and the confidence to continue dancing for 14 years.

Jessica’s parents eventually met a Taekwondo instructor named Jim Cunningham. His response when told of her birth condition was that she would be more than physically able and that only her attitude could hold her back. At the age of 14, Jessica earned her first Black Belt in the International Taekwondo Federation.

After graduating from high school, Jessica attended the University of Arizona where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When talking about her degree, she frequently explains that psychology credits the way people think has a greater impact on their lives than a physical limitation.

During college, Jessica found a club of the American Taekwondo Association and resumed training in the sport. Even though Jessica already had one black belt in a different style, she had to relearn all of the color belt material. The instructors created a curriculum that would be accessible to any future armless students. Jessica then became the first armless person to earn a black belt in the ATA.

Jessica’s most famous accomplishment was learning how to fly. It took three states, four airplanes, two flight instructors and a discouraging year to find the right aircraft: a 1946 415C Ercoupe Airplane. She received the Guinness World Record for being the first person certified to fly an airplane with only their feet.

Jessica now works as a motivational speaker. She travels the world sharing her story and encouraging people to be creative and innovative with the mantra “Think outside the shoe.” If you would like to invite her to speak for your event, group or church, please contact the JCMS team.

The stories and the touching experience of meeting Jessica in person will touch every listener, every time.  As a person who has never viewed herself as a victim of her condition, Jessica shares in her speeches humorous stories of struggles and success living in a “two-handed” world.  She provides critical insight on how best to approach a challenge, redefining the concept of innovative thinking.  She helps people reconnect with their own inner strength and aptitude.

Disarming the Impossible!

Turning the “Impossible” into “Accomplishment”
What limits people in your group from attaining their highest potential?  How can they push limitations aside?
Jessica believes in combining creativity, desire, persistence and fearlessness; with them, nothing is impossible.  In her presentation, she digs deep into her experiences living armless in a two-handed world and how these three elements helped her achieve the seemingly impossible.

Jessica’s elements stem from answering such questions as:

• Are you letting fears stand in the way of your opportunities?

• Is it easier to come up with an excuse than a creative solution to a challenge?

• What handicaps do you and others harbor that you do not need?

• How soon should you give up when confronted with a difficult challenge?

Get ready to turn your “I Can’t” into “I Can!” and “I Will!”

Feature a courageous young woman who inspires people to reach beyond their perceived limitations.  Bring Jessica Cox into your organization for your next event!

Keynotes & Motivational Speeches

While the theme of an event or the goal of a seminar may change, Jessica’s message of the importance of creativity, desire, persistence and fearlessness stay the same.  She has been asked to speak by schools and colleges, businesses big and small, as well as non-profit organizations spread across five continents.  Jessica shares stories of flight training, driving, living independently and the personal transformations she has undergone all with humor while demonstrating the core values of her message.  Audience members will see their new potential and realize the value of taking an innovative approach to their personal, social and business challenges.  Inspirational talks are Jessica’s most requested service.

Workshops & Seminars

Jessica provides custom workshops tailored to the needs of individual groups.  These workshops range from one hour intensive small group sessions to larger half day seminars.  These workshops require a six month notice prior to the event.

Christian Testimony

Jessica realizes that not everyone shares exactly the same faith, but she is always more than happy to share her walk with God to those who wish to hear it.  Churches stretching from Jessica’s home town of Tucson to Ghana to the Philippines have asked to hear her message.  For more information visit Jessica’s Testimony of Transformation page 

Taekwondo Class

Jessica’s newest presentation option!  A 45 minute Taekwondo class where attendees learn about their own creative drive by learning to use nunchuks with their feet.  No previous experience required.  Great for both martial arts schools and corporate training seminars.  A combination of simple nunchuk training and humorous stories from Jessica’s life, this class will be remembered for years to come.

 http://rightfooted.com/

 

Jessica Cox The First Pilot With No Arms

Oct 04, 2009 

Jessica Cox suffered a rare birth defect and was born without any arms. None of the prenatal tests her mother took showed there was anything wrong with her. And yet she was born with this rare congenital disease, but also with a great spirit.

The psychology graduate can write, type, drive a car, brush her hair and talk on her phone simply using her feet. Ms Cox, from Tuscon, Arizona, USA, is also a former dancer and double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do. She has a no-restrictions driving license, she flies planes and she can type 25 words a minute.

  

  

 

Woman Born With No Arms Becomes First Pilot to Fly Airplane With Feet

Published December 08, 2008

Associated Press

Jessica Cox, of Tucson, Ariz., was born without arms, but that has only stopped her from doing one thing: using the word "can't."

Her latest flight into the seemingly impossible is becoming the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.
Click here for photos of Jessica.

With one foot manning the controls and the other delicately guiding the steering column, Cox, 25, soared to achieve a Sport Pilot certificate. Her certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet.

"She's a good pilot. She's rock solid," said Parrish Traweek, 42, the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair Airport.

He runs PC Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Services and has trained many pilots, some of whom didn't come close to Cox's abilities.

"When she came up here driving a car," Traweek recalled, "I knew she'd have no problem flying a plane."
Finding a plane that was compatible with her abilities was a task within itself. She found it in the Ercoupe, a plane manufactured in the mid-1940s. Locating one took her to Florida and California, although she finally find one less than 70 miles away in San Manuel.

Flight lessons usually run more than $100 per hour, but Cox was able to get her 40-plus hours of training through an Able Flight Scholarship.

"Once you're with Jessica for about 20 minutes, you don't even notice she doesn't have arms," Traweek said from the one of the airport's hangars.

Cox, unwrapping a piece of chewing gum with her toes nearby, was clad in a yellow T-shirt sporting a stick figure with truncated arms beneath the phrase: "Look Ma, No Hands."

"Jessica's showing people there are no limits," he said. "Jessica's incredible. She really is."

Most who meet her, especially on her motivational speaking circuit, agree. She's spoken at hundreds of gigs, from Wisconsin to Phoenix, where she shares her upbeat philosophy and incredible story.
Doctors never learned why she was born without arms, but she figured out early on that she didn't want to use prosthetic devices.

"Instead of investing so much time in being normal," she said, "I realized it was more important to celebrate my difference."

She gave up the prosthetic arms for good when she turned 14 and her family moved to Tucson from their hometown of Sierra Vista.

"They handicapped me," she said of the prosethetic arms, which she keeps shoved in the back of her closet.
"When we moved to Tucson, I had a fresh slate," she said.

That slate is now covered with achievements from a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Arizona to two black belts in tae kwon do. She's also seeking a publisher for her life story.

She keeps even more active with swimming and walking.

"It's critical to maintain strength and flexibility in my legs for any kind of activity," she said.

Her feet have become so agile, she said. that a recent X-ray showed her toe joints looked more like fingers.
"The toes were curled in more like a hand would be," she said. "I had to ask the doctor, 'Does everyone's feet look like that?' "

Cox credits much of her success to her supportive family: mom Inez, 58; dad William, 68; brother Jason, 28; and sister Jackie, 23.

She is grateful for her ability to motivate others, and not only when she's speaking on stage.

"I realized when I go to the grocery store to get a gallon of milk and wheel the cart up to the cashier, I really don't have to say anything," she said.

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/jessica-cox-armless-pilot.shtml