abs-cbnNEWS.com
A 26-year-old Filipina can fly a plane, drive a car, and is also a Taekwondo black belt holder. Jessica Cox who was born without arms can do all these and more.
In 2008, Cox became the nation’s first and only Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed pilot to fly an airplane using only her feet.
“I was flying about an hour and a half out and I knew it was just gonna be me, the airplane, God and the rest of the landscape so that was incredible independent experience, the most that I’ve ever experienced,” Cox said.
Born in Tucson, Arizona in 1983, doctors had no explanation why Cox was born without arms.
It was Cox’s Filipina mother who trained her to become independent.
“Kasi hinanda ko yung mga toys in her crib, nilipat ko na yung mga toys niya sa footside para yung mga balls, yun ang beginning ko sa kanyang foot stimulation," said her mother, Ines.
Today, Cox drives on her own, brushes her hair, makes calls and sends text messages on her cellphone.
"Being a Filipina is a huge part of, I believe, who I am, and being very independent and being somebody who goes out there and does a lot of things without having fear," she said.
Aside from being a pilot, Cox is also a motivational speaker inspiring Filipinos and Americans.
“She was able to show us that no matter what, if you put your mind into it, you can do it," said Marylou Natividad.
Cox still wants to challenge herself. This time, her ambition is to become a scuba diver. ABS-CBN North America News Bureau chief Ging Reyes and correspondent Don Tagala
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