THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY AN AIRPLANE WITH HER FEET

Jessica Cox became the world's first licensed armless pilot in 2008

Jessica and her husband, Patrick Chamberlain, posing at their home in Tucson, Arizona

Five years ago the inspirational 32-year-old became the first female to fly a plane with her feet.
And she also became the first armless black belt in the American Tae Kwon Do Association.
But closer to home Jessica shows how she has adapted to life without arms - thanks to her fierce independence.
And with husband Patrick Chamberlain’s help Jessica is inspiring others around the world by publicly speaking about her remarkable life.
Jessica wore prosthetics when she was young, but ditched them at age 14, and uses her feet as most people use their hands.

Jessica uses her feet as most people use their hands and lives a very independent life

Jessica said: “There’s nothing that can substitute the tactile ability of flesh and bone - and my feet have that ability."
She is able to drive a car without modifications, type on a keyboard and even play two full duets with Patrick, 30.
She has not let her disability limit her in any way, and has always been active since childhood.
Jessica said: “Naturally people saw me not having arms as a limiting factor - but I was there to prove them wrong.

Jessica used prosthetics until the age of 14 - but says nothing can replace flesh and bone

“At three years old I was involved in gymnastics, at six I started tap dancing lessons, I did modeling, I swam at five, 10-years-old I was doing Tae Kwon Do, I did every activity you could imagine."
Five years ago Jessica met her husband, Patrick Chamberlain, through their mutual love for Tae Kwon Do.

LIMB-ITLESS: Jessica's disability did not stop her from taking part in dancing, swimming, modeling, and Tae Kwon Do as a child

Jessica is also the first armless black belt in the American Tae Kwon Do Association

Jessica said: "Patrick, was a fourth-degree black belt and he was teaching a class with my friend, and we hit it off right away.
“We got to know each other on an instructor-student basis and met outside of school at social gatherings.
“He moved on to a different Tae Kwon Do school eventually and he asked me out and the rest was history."

Jessica brushing her teeth with her feet in her home in Tucson, Arizona

Patrick said: "Jessica and I had been dating for several months when I decided that she was the woman I was going to marry
“She is unrelenting, positive, and unstoppable, and has opened my eyes to new possibilities since the day I met her."
Jessica and Patrick were married in 2012, and live together in Tucson, Arizona, where she lives her life independently.

Getting dressed was a big challenge for Jessica at first

Jessica said: “I faced some challenges when it came to learning how to get dressed, but it was a trial and error process.
“We started off mounting hooks on the walls and I would hang my clothes on the hooks and wiggle my way into them.
“The hooks would sometimes create holes in my clothes and it was hard to have the hook in public restrooms where I needed to get dressed so I have a new hook that has a suction on it and it has been with me since I was 18-years-old.
“That was one of my biggest challenges, but I’m very independent, the only thing I really need help with is doing my hair.

It took Jessica three years and 80 hours of flying to become a certified pilot

“Patrick learned to do a very nice ponytail, bun and braid - it’s very special because he realized how much it annoyed me to have my hair in my face.”
Jessica earned a Guinness World Record in 2008 when she received her pilot’s license and became the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet.
She said: “It took three years, three different airplanes, three instructors, 80 hours of flying in three states, and I was a certified pilot.”

Jessica can surf, scuba dive and swim, despite not having arms

Jessica said people naturally saw her disability as a limiting factor, but she wanted to prove them wrong

Jessica can even flawlessly play the piano and has completed two duets with her husband.
“Right now we’re learning the popular Frozen song, Let It Go. It’s a difficult one but we’ll get it.”
The couple work and travel together touring the world as Jessica gives motivational speeches.
Jessica added: “Patrick and I work together to be able to motivate other people.
“I get to be the one in the spotlight but it would not happen if he wasn’t there as my manager and helping me with media.

Jessica received a Guinness World Record in 2011 by becoming the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet

“Recently I met a little girl who never met someone without arms.
“I just told her that she’s going to be okay and I gave her confidence, that’s what I’m really passionate about.

Amazingly Jessica can also play full duets with her feet alongside her husband Patrick Chamberlain

“I love reaching out to kids and letting them know that they can do anything.”

Jessica received her Guinness World Record medal in Italy and received a special blessing from the Pope

And while children might be in their future, right now they plan to continue to inspire others.

Jessica flies a post-World War II plane because it has less controls and is easier to operate with her feet

Jessica said: “If we did have a child without arms, we wouldn’t hesitate - I lived my life just fine without arms.
“We have many years to spend together to start a family and to continue to travel the world.
“We want to bring speaking to other countries and change attitudes about disability.”