Born: 1983
Biography:
Jessica Cox (born February 2, 1983) is the world’s first licensed armless pilot and the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association. She was born without arms due to a rare birth defect. Despite this challenge, Cox has defied expectations and become an inspiration to people around the world.
Growing up, Jessica Cox faced numerous obstacles, but she never let her disability define her. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in communications. Cox has chosen not to use prosthetic arms since the age of 14. Instead, she uses her feet to perform tasks that most people do with their hands. She can drive an unmodified car with an unrestricted license, type on a keyboard at 25 words per minute, pump her own gas, and even put in and remove contact lenses. Cox has also become a certified scuba diver, further showcasing her determination and adaptability.
In 2004, Jessica Cox experienced her first flight in a single-engine airplane through the Wright Flight program. This experience ignited her passion for flying, leading her to pursue a pilot’s certificate. After three years of rigorous training, Cox earned her pilot’s license on October 10, 2008. She is qualified to fly a light-sport aircraft up to altitudes of 10,000 feet. Cox received her flight training through an Able Flight scholarship and soloed under the instruction of Parrish Traweek. Her Sport Pilot Certificate is for an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, a light sport aircraft. Originally designed in the 1940s, the Ercoupe features a unique design that allows Cox to control the airplane using her feet. With one foot controlling the yoke and the other controlling the throttle, she can navigate the skies with grace and confidence.
In 2019, Cox received a 1946 Ercoupe 415-C with tail number N26R. She plans to use this aircraft to promote the mission of the Rightfooted Foundation International, which advocates that disability does not mean inability. Cox has shown her commitment to this cause by using her airplane to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 2020. She took retired Senator Tom Harkin, who introduced the Act to the US Senate in 1990, on a flight near Washington, DC.
Aside from her achievements in aviation, Jessica Cox is also an accomplished martial artist. She began training in taekwondo at the age of 10 in her hometown of Sierra Vista, Arizona. At 14, she earned her first black belt. During her time in college at the University of Arizona, Cox restarted her taekwondo training at an American Taekwondo Association club on campus. The instructors at the club modified the standard material from the ATA to create a training curriculum that accommodated students without arm function. Cox successfully earned her second and third-degree black belts, showcasing her discipline and determination in the martial arts.
Through her remarkable accomplishments and unwavering determination, Jessica Cox has inspired countless individuals worldwide. Her story serves as a testament to the power of embracing one’s uniqueness and turning adversity into triumph. Cox continues to serve as a role model and advocate for people with disabilities, breaking barriers and challenging societal perceptions of what is possible.