Born in 1983 in Arizona, USA, Jessica Cox is one of the few female pilots in the area. But what makes Jessica stand out even more is that she is the first armless female pilot in the world.
As a child, she learned to use her legs in place of her arms. Jessica considered herself a “smart child” and was only disappointed because she couldn’t understand why she didn’t have arms, while her brother, sister, and parents all did.
Jessica grew up using prosthetic arms that she had to adapt to after countless hours of after-school therapy. While she could operate more easily with the prosthetic arms, she didn’t feel a connection to them and preferred to do everything with her legs.
After 11 years of using prosthetic arms, Jessica decided to stop using them and rely on her legs, which made her unique. This was also the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
During recess at school, Jessica felt restricted because those around her were overly protective and prevented her from climbing on the slide. Whenever she felt angry and frustrated, Jessica would often sit on the swing and dream of flying.
She enjoyed sitting on the swing because it was something she could control and imagine herself flying over everything. This sparked her determination to become a pilot. Jessica knew that if she could become a pilot, she could have her own freedom and literally fly over people.
Jessica began practicing Taekwondo at the age of 10 and made rapid progress, earning a black belt by 14. Her interest in Taekwondo led her to meet Patrick, a Taekwondo instructor. They married in 2012. Since then, Patrick has become Jessica’s supportive partner in her travels and adventures.
“I can dress myself, eat by myself, drive a car, participate in sports and martial arts, run my own business, and enjoy a wonderful marriage with my husband”, the proud woman shares.
Jessica’s journey to becoming a pilot began after she participated in a speech at a nonprofit organization. This would give her the opportunity to go on a flight with them. But before that flight, Jessica had her first taste of being a pilot. On a trip to Mexico on a small, single-engine plane, she had the chance to place her foot on the control stick and experience being airborne.
After that, the feeling of control, freedom in the air, and empowerment grew stronger, and on that day, she promised herself that she would pursue her dream of becoming a pilot.
However, this was not without obstacles. Initially, she faced many difficulties in finding an instructor. Many felt uncomfortable teaching a pilot without arms. But Jessica persevered and eventually found a suitable teacher.
After 3 years of training, Jessica’s dream became a reality in 2008 when she made her first solo flight. Jessica was awarded a pilot certificate and became the first woman to fly an airplane using her feet.
Jessica is not only a female pilot but also an advocate for the disabled. As a motivational speaker, she has traveled the world to inspire others.
She advocates for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and has become a supporter of the passage of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), allowing people with disabilities access to education, healthcare, and benefits similar to what she experienced growing up. She has become a Goodwill Ambassador for Humanity and Inclusion and has traveled across Europe, Africa, and Australia.