Jessica Cox, a woman born with no arms, becomes first pilot to fly a plane using only her feet
Last updated 12/10/2008 9:27:15 AM
Jessica Cox www.rightfooted.com
She was born without any arms - but that hasn't stopped her making the most of life. Jessica Cox is a former dancer, a psychology graduate, has a double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do and can write, drive a car, brush her hair and talk on her phone - using her feet.
The only thing Jessica was afraid of was flying. But three years ago she was given the chance to overcome her fears when the charity Wright Flight asked her if she'd like to try flying one herself.
She learned to fly in rudderless light Ercoupe aircraft, where you only need your hands to control it rather than both hands and feet.
Jessica, 25, from Tuscon, Arizona, took three years instead of the usual six months to complete her lightweight aircraft licence, had three flying instructors and practiced 89 hours of flying.
"I had to be very determined and persistent. It took me three hard years to complete - but it is the most fantastic feeling in the world," she explained.
Jessica is now training to become an instructor - so she can help other disabled people learn to fly. She's described as inspirational keynote speaker.
Convinced that the way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints, she chose to pursue a degree in psychology while in college at the University of Arizona.
Defying the standards of what she calls a "two-handed" world, Jessica shares in her speeches humorous stories of struggles and success.
For more, go to her website http://www.rightfooted.com