August 26, 2021 • 18 mins
Prepare to be inspired.
Jessica Cox, the first armless pilot, has flown onto our latest episode of DisAbility Talks! She breaks down her journey to the cockpit and her desire to become the first armless pilot. This is a story you won't want to miss. Take to the skies with our host, Shelly Houser, and Jessica Cox on this brand-new episode!
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To find out more about our guest, visit these links:
Websites: https://www.jessicacox.com/ and https://www.jessicacox.com/project2025/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCMSofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jess_feet?s=20
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightfooted/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rightfooted/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Intro (00:00):
Welcome to DisAbility Talks, a podcast produced by
Abilities in Motion.
I'm your host, Shelly Houser.
Join us for real conversationsand no nonsense talk from
everyday people withdisabilities living their most
independent everyday lives.
Tune in for the latest newssurrounding disability,
accessibility and independence.
Where conversations aren'tdissed and stories that need to
(00:23):
be told aren't missed.
So let's talk.
Shelly (00:27):
Recently, I gave a speech on assistive technology
and how, for persons withdisabilities, it can enhance, or
in some case improve our lives.
My guest today drives, types onher computer, pumps her own gas,
and is a fourth black belt inTaeKwonDo.
She also scuba dives and surfs.
It sounds all average until Itell you, that she's also the
world's first armless pilot.
(00:49):
Jessica Cox is back from hertrip to the EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin,and she joins us from her home
today in Arizona to tell usmore.
Good morning, Jessica.
Thanks for being on the show.
Jessica (01:01):
Good morning.
Glad to be on.
Shelly (01:02):
Thank you for being here.
So welcome back from Oshkosh.
I heard it was quite a show thisyear.
Jessica (01:08):
Oh, it was unbelievable.
And I know they had recordnumbers in attendance and for us
it was a record as well that wegot an ErCoupe all the way from
Tucson, Arizona.
Roundtrip, it was 4,000 milesall the way out to Wisconsin and
back with of course technicalissues, which is always the case
with the vintage airplane, butwe were excited to be there and
be a part of a historic year.
Shelly (01:30):
How did you get that plane out there?
Did you fly it yourself or didyou tow it?
Jessica (01:34):
No.
Um, just to give you background,I am certified as the first
armless pilot, but for me,endurance wise, because I had my
feet on the controls and use myfeet, like hands, it is almost
like doing a crunch for theentirety of the flight.
So for me, I have an enduranceof about two hours and then I'm
fatigued.
So you can't get fatigued whenbehind the controls of the
(01:55):
plane, as you know, you have tobe ahead of the airplane.
So it was not practical for meto be a part of that, but I was
on the ground.
I was the ground chase crew, Ishould say, to help them to help
with getting all the supplies tothe spots that we stopped at so.
Shelly (02:09):
Okay, great.
Tell us about Oshkosh b ecause Ihave never heard of it before,
and I hear it's such a hugedeal.
So tell us about what was goingon there and what you did during
the show that week.
Jessica (02:21):
Okay.
So AirVenture is the largest, um, gathering of pilots, aviation
enthusiasts, and obviouslypeople who are big fans of
aviation.
They just come together once ayear in the summer in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, and the proper nameis AirVenture.
And it brings an internationalaudience, uh, clearly, uh, a lot
(02:43):
of people from all over theUnited States.
And we have during thatparticular week, it is the
busiest airport in the wholeworld.
And that's what I was a part ofis, is bringing in a vintage
airplane that I certified to flyto be a part of that, to, uh,
talk aviation, to talk, youknow, all the different things
(03:05):
that are related to aviation andto show the airplane off to
people and, and to show them andtalk about our stories as
pilots.
Shelly (03:12):
Very cool.
You fly an AirCo 415 C ErCoupe,is that right?
Jessica (03:18):
Correct.
Yes.
Shelly (03:19):
Yeah.
Explain how your plane worksdifferently than other small
aircraft.
Jessica (03:26):
Okay.
And let me also clarify the namethat it is ErCoupe was the
company that built it, but it isErCoupe airplane and your
question is how, how do I flythat?
Shelly (03:36):
Yeah how does it work and compare to other small
aircraft?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
So it is the only airplane in history, in aviation
history.
There may be one other that Iwould just, uh, brought my
awareness was, uh, it was justbrought to my awareness this
past summer, but it is a one, ifnot the only airplane without
rudder pedals.
So essentially it has two lesscontrols than other airplanes.
When you sit and say assessment,if you were to go, if you were
(04:02):
to go to your nearest airport,he said an assessment airplane,
there are four controls, meaningyou need four limbs on all the
controls, but this ErCoupe isthe only plane that has only two
controls.
So it's the two controlairplane.
The other controls are tied in.
So it, it kind of synchronizesthe controls in a way that's
very fascinating.
(04:23):
It was built in the forties.
And because of that, I do nothave special modifications to
the airplane.
It's just the airplane designitself that allows me to fly
with two feet on the control.
Shelly (04:34):
When did you first fly this type of plane?
Jessica (04:37):
So I first started flying when I was, uh, starting
out in training.
I started out in the typicalairplane, which is assessment.
And then I progressed realizingthat this would not work for me
to fly solo for me to get mycertification.
And so we found it probably, itwas 2006 when I first sat in an
(04:57):
ERCoupe.
Shelly (04:58):
Yeah.
And how does it something youalways wanted to do to, to be a
pilot?
Jessica (05:03):
It was not something I always wanted to do, it was
something I was alwaysdefinitely afraid of.
So for me, I really stretched mycomfort levels to pursue flying
because I wanted to reallyreinforce to people I speak to
as a motivational speaker, as aprofessional speaker, that you
shouldn't let fear stand in theway of opportunities.
(05:23):
And we all are afraid ofsomething, but we should still
go out and do these things,despite our fear.
And for me to be able to be thatliving example, I wanted to do
that so that when I speak onstage, I'm not just saying it,
but I'm living it out truly inmy life.
And that's why I pursued thatsomething that I was so afraid
(05:43):
of.
I'm not afraid of heights, letme clarify that, but I am afraid
of losing contact with theground and also a way for me to
show the world what's possiblefor someone with a disability.
Shelly (05:55):
I think I'll keep my one on the ground.
Thank you very much b ecause Iam afraid of heights.
Jessica (06:00):
Ok, well, I totally get you.
It's, it's hard to kind of marrythe two if you're afraid of
heights, but you'd be surprisedthat you could really stretch
yourself, but, uh, it does takea lot more emotional effort I
think from us.
Shelly (06:13):
Definitely, yeah.
So as a mentor and a disabilityrights advocate, you travel the
world.
What organizations do youpartner with and what's your
mission of your foundation?
Jessica (06:23):
Well, as a mentor, I actually started my own
nonprofit called Right-FootedFoundation International because
I was inspired by my own mentor.
A woman who came into my life ata point where I really needed
the support.
I was a teenager.
I didn't think anyone else inthe world didn't have arms and
live their life through theirfeet in the same way I did.
(06:45):
She became part of my life.
Um, just through a story thatwas on a local news station.
And I immediately reached out,said,"Let's connect, I have to
meet you." And she became thisexample for me of what's
possible.
And I wanted to replicate thatfor others out there who feel
like they're the only ones therealone.
And to show them that it'spossible to do these great
(07:06):
things like aviation, surfing,TaeKwonDo, all these different
activities to empower that senseof confidence that we all we all
want more of.
And that's why I started my ownfoundation, a 5 0 1 C three in
the state of Arizona.
And it's doing work to mentor,educate advocate and inspire so
many.
Shelly (07:25):
I love hearing about that.
I started following you abouttwo years ago, and I used you as
an example in teaching ourstudents with IDD here at
Abilities in Motion.
So they all know who you are aswell.
So they're very excited to hearthis podcast later.
Jessica (07:41):
Great.
Shelly (07:42):
You acquired your fourth black belt in TaeKwonDo and
scuba diving.
What does it mean to be able toreach all these accomplishments
and which one, which sport wasthe most challenging for you?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
For me accomplishments and taking the
opportunities directly resultsin confidence and empowerment.
And the way it's actually statedis it's a fourth degree black
belt in TaeKwonDo, which meansthere are different degrees.
Once you get your first degreeblack belt and you move up in
the ranks, uh, once you get pastthat, you can start moving up
and, and you start increasingyour requirements and such.
(08:18):
So, um, I have done so manyother activities that have
really been wonderfulopportunities for me to test the
waters and the tests thatwhether it's, how to figure it
out and do it in a differentway, do it without two arms, two
hands.
And I think it's just wonderfulto get to do something and
(08:39):
stretch myself.
And as a result, I have thisboost of confidence and this
almost like adrenaline fromachieving it.
Um, and it's almost like beingan adrenaline junkie or
something where you go out andyou do things to experience that
and they become contagious.
And I think that's what I hopeto show other people too.
Sometimes we have to stretchourselves because it helps us to
(09:00):
become even better.
And it helps us grow as aperson, I should say.
Shelly (09:05):
Yeah.
Have you taken on being a mentorto any one or two individuals in
particular or just in generalliving your everyday best life
is, is you mentoring?
Jessica (09:17):
Um, I have a true passion for it, but now I have
taken on probably at least 20women and men born for who have
lost their arms formed without,or who have lost their arms.
And I'm doing this regularly ona one-on-one basis.
And now looking forward tobringing everyone together for a
(09:38):
gathering of these individualsso that we can provide that
sense of community and support.
Shelly (09:43):
Are you going to try and make it like a big in-person
event?
Jessica (09:46):
Yes.
When it's, uh, you know, a goodtime to gather again, uh, in
groups, I think we will have tobe wary of that as well.
And, um, considerate of that.
But right now it's definitely ona virtual platform.
Like for example, the last twomonths I had virtual meetup
where we had a group of people,um, like a specific group of
(10:08):
young women born without armsfrom like age five to age like
50.
And, um, with the, you know, theolder ones, um, giving the
wisdom to the young people, theyounger girls who have so many
questions.
Shelly (10:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I think with that, we'regoing to take a short commercial
break and we'll be back withJessica Cox.
AD (10:29):
Abilities in Motion is one of Pennsylvania's premier
centers for independent living,existing to educate, support,
and promote individuals withdisabilities.
Our programs are focused onproviding opportunities for
individuals with disabilities tolive independent,
self-determined lives.
Abilities in Motion advocatesfor local, state, and national
laws that protect the rights ofpeople with disabilities.
(10:50):
We are proud to createinnovative and sustainable
solutions and set trends usingmulti focused approaches towards
shaping national education,employment opportunities,
in-home supports and healthcarethat affects the lives of
individuals with disabilities.
For more information aboutprograms and services Abilities
in Motion provides call610-376-0010, or visit our
(11:12):
website at www.abilitiesinmotion.org.
Shelly (11:17):
And welcome back listeners.
We're here with Jessica Cox, theworld's first armless pilot, and
an amazing woman.
Jessica, you have been soaccomplished in everything that
you do.
What is your next venture thatyou're still trying to achieve
in life?
Jessica (11:32):
I am still trying to achieve something that we just
launched this past, I would sayprobably a couple of weeks.
And that is the goal of buildinga custom airplane to be flown
with seats.
And that means that the, um,pilot command seat, which is
typically the left side, isgoing to be modified with
(11:55):
special controls.
And we're going to have, um,it'll be all set for, for me to
fly it as well as other peoplewho may be foot users or by
their loss of use of their arms,or were born without arms.
And that's the goal is to buildthis from a kit, which is such
an endeavor, it's going to takefour years, we're calling it
project 2025, but that's thegoal right now on the radar.
Shelly (12:20):
Would it help with the seating of the plane to put it
back further?
So your legs are not so crampedin that space that's built for
arms?
Jessica (12:28):
Exactly.
Exactly.
It's just very precarioussometimes, especially after at
least an hour of flight,basically having my feet up in a
position like that, and my footfalls asleep, I get a cramp,
might have to get a Charliehorse.
So the idea is to have the seatback, I'd be in a resting,
comfortable position and havethe controls on the floor.
Shelly (12:48):
Yes, that makes sense.
So will the wheel be on thefloor as well, or just lower in
the cockpit?
Jessica (12:55):
It would probably be on the floor as well.
So we'll have to figure it outright now.
We're welcoming design ideas.
We're welcoming, obviously thesupport, because it is a very
expensive endeavor to build anairplane.
U m, but w e a re, w e very muchbelieve in what we can do with
this plane when it's finishedand how we can inspire so many
more people.
U h, this past summer, we took atrip from Tucson, as I mentioned
(13:17):
to Wisconsin and back 4,000 miles round trip.
And what we did was we stoppedalong the way at different camps
for people with disabilities.
One was a camp for children withdisabilities, u h, p ublic c
amp.
A nd t hat a bility that h elps,u h, children who were born
without limbs or w ho've lost limbs come together every summer
and d o sports.
We stopped at a local airport,brought them to the airport and
(13:38):
inspired them with the image ofthe airplane.
I sat in the p lane, like Isaid, I didn't fly it there, but
I sat in the plane and showedthem all about the airplane and
said, this is the plane I flyand i nspired to plant that
seed, that aviation is apossibility for any of them.
And then we flew it back andstopped at Topeka, Kansas at a
camp called Camp Creek MissionCreek Camp in Topeka.
(13:59):
And we stopped i n stop thereand visited.
And it was wonderful to sharewith them and flew over the c
amp.
It was, it was pretty impressiveexperience to be able to inspire
them.
Shelly (14:10):
Have you been able to do that kid camps visit in previous
years?
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I had before the pandemic, but I've never, um,
brought the plan there.
Shelly (14:23):
I was just curious if you've ever heard back from one
of the kiddos and found out thatyou had inspired them to move on
to have their own career inbeing a pilot as well.
So you'll have to track that.
Jessica (14:32):
Yes.
I look forward to tracking her.
Shelly (14:35):
Because I know growing up, there were no role models,
at least for me, I didn't seerole models like we see like you
are today and, and the way youwere going to watch the
Paralympics this year.
And, you know, for the firsttime here in the United States
live and what kind of impactthat's going to make on these
younger generations to seepeople like you as role models
(14:56):
and, and see how that inspirestheir futures to grow up.
So that's a wonderful thing.
Thank you for doing it.
Jessica (15:03):
You're so welcome.
It's very rewarding.
Shelly (15:05):
So what else do you have planned for the future?
Jessica (15:09):
I'm going to continue my speaking career because it's
something, it's my profession.
It's how I get how we pay forfood on the table.
And, and so it's both, uh, abusiness that my husband and I
run, so I will continue to dothat if it means virtually doing
motivational speeches, I'll dothat.
(15:29):
Uh, if we get to a point whereit's basic travel again, and
there was these variants comingout, it's a little scary, but,
um, I've done two in-personevents thus far, uh, with masks
and everything and doing thewhole, um, you know, being
careful about it.
Um, but I hope that there willbe more events cause I plan to
be out there and speaking,continuing to get the message
(15:49):
out there,
Shelly (15:51):
Have you been reaching out to any corporate partners to
kind of help you along with thebuilding of the airplanes and
getting your word out a littlebit broader?
Has anything happened with that?
Jessica (16:00):
Well, I hope this interview will lead to potential
corporate partnerships because Ithink people recognize how
important it is, um, and howimportant it is to continue to
buyer and to motivate and chooseaviation in a very special way.
So I'm looking for corporatepartnerships and people who want
to be a part of this becausewe're really at the very
beginning stage.
Shelly (16:20):
Anybody in particular that you'd hit up, maybe Richard
Branson?
Jessica (16:25):
That would be great.
If you have contacts there, I'mopen to it.
I haven't really reached out tobig VIP's yet.
Shelly (16:35):
We'll hashtag him just to see what happens.
How's that?
Jessica (16:38):
Great.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Shelly (16:40):
So on that note, I was wondering how corporate sponsors
and our listeners can find outmore about you and reach out to
you about these programs?
Jessica (16:48):
Please go to www.jessicacox.com.
And if you want to find outabout the RB 10 project and how
we're going to reach more peopleinspires aviation, you go to
jessicacox.com/project2025.
Shelly (17:03):
Perfect.
And with that, I think we'regoing to finish up and say,
that's our episode today forDisAbility Talks.
Jessica, thanks so much for yourtime.
We really appreciate having youin the studio with us and
telling us all about this.
Jessica (17:14):
Thank you, Shelly, thank you for the opportunity
and inviting me to be a part ofyour community here.
So it's wonderful what you'redoing.
Thank you so much.
Shelly (17:22):
You're you're doing a great job and we're hoping to
hear big things from you soon in2022 and moving on.
And to our listeners.
Thank you so much for joiningand listening in from all over
the world.
Don't forget to hit that Likeand Subscribe button so you
never miss an episode ofDisAbility Talks.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of DisAbility
Talks.
Want to keep the conversationgoing?
Then visit our website atabilitiesinmotion.org, or
connect with us on social media.
And remember, don't dis myability.
Welcome to DisAbility Talks, a podcast produced by
Abilities in Motion.
I'm your host, Shelly Houser.
Join us for real conversationsand no nonsense talk from
everyday people withdisabilities living their most
independent everyday lives.
Tune in for the latest newssurrounding disability,
accessibility and independence.
Where conversations aren'tdissed and stories that need to
(00:23):
be told aren't missed.
So let's talk.
Shelly (00:27):
Recently, I gave a speech on assistive technology
and how, for persons withdisabilities, it can enhance, or
in some case improve our lives.
My guest today drives, types onher computer, pumps her own gas,
and is a fourth black belt inTaeKwonDo.
She also scuba dives and surfs.
It sounds all average until Itell you, that she's also the
world's first armless pilot.
(00:49):
Jessica Cox is back from hertrip to the EAA AirVenture
Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin,and she joins us from her home
today in Arizona to tell usmore.
Good morning, Jessica.
Thanks for being on the show.
Jessica (01:01):
Good morning.
Glad to be on.
Shelly (01:02):
Thank you for being here.
So welcome back from Oshkosh.
I heard it was quite a show thisyear.
Jessica (01:08):
Oh, it was unbelievable.
And I know they had recordnumbers in attendance and for us
it was a record as well that wegot an ErCoupe all the way from
Tucson, Arizona.
Roundtrip, it was 4,000 milesall the way out to Wisconsin and
back with of course technicalissues, which is always the case
with the vintage airplane, butwe were excited to be there and
be a part of a historic year.
Shelly (01:30):
How did you get that plane out there?
Did you fly it yourself or didyou tow it?
Jessica (01:34):
No.
Um, just to give you background,I am certified as the first
armless pilot, but for me,endurance wise, because I had my
feet on the controls and use myfeet, like hands, it is almost
like doing a crunch for theentirety of the flight.
So for me, I have an enduranceof about two hours and then I'm
fatigued.
So you can't get fatigued whenbehind the controls of the
(01:55):
plane, as you know, you have tobe ahead of the airplane.
So it was not practical for meto be a part of that, but I was
on the ground.
I was the ground chase crew, Ishould say, to help them to help
with getting all the supplies tothe spots that we stopped at so.
Shelly (02:09):
Okay, great.
Tell us about Oshkosh b ecause Ihave never heard of it before,
and I hear it's such a hugedeal.
So tell us about what was goingon there and what you did during
the show that week.
Jessica (02:21):
Okay.
So AirVenture is the largest, um, gathering of pilots, aviation
enthusiasts, and obviouslypeople who are big fans of
aviation.
They just come together once ayear in the summer in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, and the proper nameis AirVenture.
And it brings an internationalaudience, uh, clearly, uh, a lot
(02:43):
of people from all over theUnited States.
And we have during thatparticular week, it is the
busiest airport in the wholeworld.
And that's what I was a part ofis, is bringing in a vintage
airplane that I certified to flyto be a part of that, to, uh,
talk aviation, to talk, youknow, all the different things
(03:05):
that are related to aviation andto show the airplane off to
people and, and to show them andtalk about our stories as
pilots.
Shelly (03:12):
Very cool.
You fly an AirCo 415 C ErCoupe,is that right?
Jessica (03:18):
Correct.
Yes.
Shelly (03:19):
Yeah.
Explain how your plane worksdifferently than other small
aircraft.
Jessica (03:26):
Okay.
And let me also clarify the namethat it is ErCoupe was the
company that built it, but it isErCoupe airplane and your
question is how, how do I flythat?
Shelly (03:36):
Yeah how does it work and compare to other small
aircraft?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
So it is the only airplane in history, in aviation
history.
There may be one other that Iwould just, uh, brought my
awareness was, uh, it was justbrought to my awareness this
past summer, but it is a one, ifnot the only airplane without
rudder pedals.
So essentially it has two lesscontrols than other airplanes.
When you sit and say assessment,if you were to go, if you were
(04:02):
to go to your nearest airport,he said an assessment airplane,
there are four controls, meaningyou need four limbs on all the
controls, but this ErCoupe isthe only plane that has only two
controls.
So it's the two controlairplane.
The other controls are tied in.
So it, it kind of synchronizesthe controls in a way that's
very fascinating.
(04:23):
It was built in the forties.
And because of that, I do nothave special modifications to
the airplane.
It's just the airplane designitself that allows me to fly
with two feet on the control.
Shelly (04:34):
When did you first fly this type of plane?
Jessica (04:37):
So I first started flying when I was, uh, starting
out in training.
I started out in the typicalairplane, which is assessment.
And then I progressed realizingthat this would not work for me
to fly solo for me to get mycertification.
And so we found it probably, itwas 2006 when I first sat in an
(04:57):
ERCoupe.
Shelly (04:58):
Yeah.
And how does it something youalways wanted to do to, to be a
pilot?
Jessica (05:03):
It was not something I always wanted to do, it was
something I was alwaysdefinitely afraid of.
So for me, I really stretched mycomfort levels to pursue flying
because I wanted to reallyreinforce to people I speak to
as a motivational speaker, as aprofessional speaker, that you
shouldn't let fear stand in theway of opportunities.
(05:23):
And we all are afraid ofsomething, but we should still
go out and do these things,despite our fear.
And for me to be able to be thatliving example, I wanted to do
that so that when I speak onstage, I'm not just saying it,
but I'm living it out truly inmy life.
And that's why I pursued thatsomething that I was so afraid
(05:43):
of.
I'm not afraid of heights, letme clarify that, but I am afraid
of losing contact with theground and also a way for me to
show the world what's possiblefor someone with a disability.
Shelly (05:55):
I think I'll keep my one on the ground.
Thank you very much b ecause Iam afraid of heights.
Jessica (06:00):
Ok, well, I totally get you.
It's, it's hard to kind of marrythe two if you're afraid of
heights, but you'd be surprisedthat you could really stretch
yourself, but, uh, it does takea lot more emotional effort I
think from us.
Shelly (06:13):
Definitely, yeah.
So as a mentor and a disabilityrights advocate, you travel the
world.
What organizations do youpartner with and what's your
mission of your foundation?
Jessica (06:23):
Well, as a mentor, I actually started my own
nonprofit called Right-FootedFoundation International because
I was inspired by my own mentor.
A woman who came into my life ata point where I really needed
the support.
I was a teenager.
I didn't think anyone else inthe world didn't have arms and
live their life through theirfeet in the same way I did.
(06:45):
She became part of my life.
Um, just through a story thatwas on a local news station.
And I immediately reached out,said,"Let's connect, I have to
meet you." And she became thisexample for me of what's
possible.
And I wanted to replicate thatfor others out there who feel
like they're the only ones therealone.
And to show them that it'spossible to do these great
(07:06):
things like aviation, surfing,TaeKwonDo, all these different
activities to empower that senseof confidence that we all we all
want more of.
And that's why I started my ownfoundation, a 5 0 1 C three in
the state of Arizona.
And it's doing work to mentor,educate advocate and inspire so
many.
Shelly (07:25):
I love hearing about that.
I started following you abouttwo years ago, and I used you as
an example in teaching ourstudents with IDD here at
Abilities in Motion.
So they all know who you are aswell.
So they're very excited to hearthis podcast later.
Jessica (07:41):
Great.
Shelly (07:42):
You acquired your fourth black belt in TaeKwonDo and
scuba diving.
What does it mean to be able toreach all these accomplishments
and which one, which sport wasthe most challenging for you?
Speaker 2 (07:56):
For me accomplishments and taking the
opportunities directly resultsin confidence and empowerment.
And the way it's actually statedis it's a fourth degree black
belt in TaeKwonDo, which meansthere are different degrees.
Once you get your first degreeblack belt and you move up in
the ranks, uh, once you get pastthat, you can start moving up
and, and you start increasingyour requirements and such.
(08:18):
So, um, I have done so manyother activities that have
really been wonderfulopportunities for me to test the
waters and the tests thatwhether it's, how to figure it
out and do it in a differentway, do it without two arms, two
hands.
And I think it's just wonderfulto get to do something and
(08:39):
stretch myself.
And as a result, I have thisboost of confidence and this
almost like adrenaline fromachieving it.
Um, and it's almost like beingan adrenaline junkie or
something where you go out andyou do things to experience that
and they become contagious.
And I think that's what I hopeto show other people too.
Sometimes we have to stretchourselves because it helps us to
(09:00):
become even better.
And it helps us grow as aperson, I should say.
Shelly (09:05):
Yeah.
Have you taken on being a mentorto any one or two individuals in
particular or just in generalliving your everyday best life
is, is you mentoring?
Jessica (09:17):
Um, I have a true passion for it, but now I have
taken on probably at least 20women and men born for who have
lost their arms formed without,or who have lost their arms.
And I'm doing this regularly ona one-on-one basis.
And now looking forward tobringing everyone together for a
(09:38):
gathering of these individualsso that we can provide that
sense of community and support.
Shelly (09:43):
Are you going to try and make it like a big in-person
event?
Jessica (09:46):
Yes.
When it's, uh, you know, a goodtime to gather again, uh, in
groups, I think we will have tobe wary of that as well.
And, um, considerate of that.
But right now it's definitely ona virtual platform.
Like for example, the last twomonths I had virtual meetup
where we had a group of people,um, like a specific group of
(10:08):
young women born without armsfrom like age five to age like
50.
And, um, with the, you know, theolder ones, um, giving the
wisdom to the young people, theyounger girls who have so many
questions.
Shelly (10:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And I think with that, we'regoing to take a short commercial
break and we'll be back withJessica Cox.
AD (10:29):
Abilities in Motion is one of Pennsylvania's premier
centers for independent living,existing to educate, support,
and promote individuals withdisabilities.
Our programs are focused onproviding opportunities for
individuals with disabilities tolive independent,
self-determined lives.
Abilities in Motion advocatesfor local, state, and national
laws that protect the rights ofpeople with disabilities.
(10:50):
We are proud to createinnovative and sustainable
solutions and set trends usingmulti focused approaches towards
shaping national education,employment opportunities,
in-home supports and healthcarethat affects the lives of
individuals with disabilities.
For more information aboutprograms and services Abilities
in Motion provides call610-376-0010, or visit our
(11:12):
website at www.abilitiesinmotion.org.
Shelly (11:17):
And welcome back listeners.
We're here with Jessica Cox, theworld's first armless pilot, and
an amazing woman.
Jessica, you have been soaccomplished in everything that
you do.
What is your next venture thatyou're still trying to achieve
in life?
Jessica (11:32):
I am still trying to achieve something that we just
launched this past, I would sayprobably a couple of weeks.
And that is the goal of buildinga custom airplane to be flown
with seats.
And that means that the, um,pilot command seat, which is
typically the left side, isgoing to be modified with
(11:55):
special controls.
And we're going to have, um,it'll be all set for, for me to
fly it as well as other peoplewho may be foot users or by
their loss of use of their arms,or were born without arms.
And that's the goal is to buildthis from a kit, which is such
an endeavor, it's going to takefour years, we're calling it
project 2025, but that's thegoal right now on the radar.
Shelly (12:20):
Would it help with the seating of the plane to put it
back further?
So your legs are not so crampedin that space that's built for
arms?
Jessica (12:28):
Exactly.
Exactly.
It's just very precarioussometimes, especially after at
least an hour of flight,basically having my feet up in a
position like that, and my footfalls asleep, I get a cramp,
might have to get a Charliehorse.
So the idea is to have the seatback, I'd be in a resting,
comfortable position and havethe controls on the floor.
Shelly (12:48):
Yes, that makes sense.
So will the wheel be on thefloor as well, or just lower in
the cockpit?
Jessica (12:55):
It would probably be on the floor as well.
So we'll have to figure it outright now.
We're welcoming design ideas.
We're welcoming, obviously thesupport, because it is a very
expensive endeavor to build anairplane.
U m, but w e a re, w e very muchbelieve in what we can do with
this plane when it's finishedand how we can inspire so many
more people.
U h, this past summer, we took atrip from Tucson, as I mentioned
(13:17):
to Wisconsin and back 4,000 miles round trip.
And what we did was we stoppedalong the way at different camps
for people with disabilities.
One was a camp for children withdisabilities, u h, p ublic c
amp.
A nd t hat a bility that h elps,u h, children who were born
without limbs or w ho've lost limbs come together every summer
and d o sports.
We stopped at a local airport,brought them to the airport and
(13:38):
inspired them with the image ofthe airplane.
I sat in the p lane, like Isaid, I didn't fly it there, but
I sat in the plane and showedthem all about the airplane and
said, this is the plane I flyand i nspired to plant that
seed, that aviation is apossibility for any of them.
And then we flew it back andstopped at Topeka, Kansas at a
camp called Camp Creek MissionCreek Camp in Topeka.
(13:59):
And we stopped i n stop thereand visited.
And it was wonderful to sharewith them and flew over the c
amp.
It was, it was pretty impressiveexperience to be able to inspire
them.
Shelly (14:10):
Have you been able to do that kid camps visit in previous
years?
Speaker 2 (14:15):
I had before the pandemic, but I've never, um,
brought the plan there.
Shelly (14:23):
I was just curious if you've ever heard back from one
of the kiddos and found out thatyou had inspired them to move on
to have their own career inbeing a pilot as well.
So you'll have to track that.
Jessica (14:32):
Yes.
I look forward to tracking her.
Shelly (14:35):
Because I know growing up, there were no role models,
at least for me, I didn't seerole models like we see like you
are today and, and the way youwere going to watch the
Paralympics this year.
And, you know, for the firsttime here in the United States
live and what kind of impactthat's going to make on these
younger generations to seepeople like you as role models
(14:56):
and, and see how that inspirestheir futures to grow up.
So that's a wonderful thing.
Thank you for doing it.
Jessica (15:03):
You're so welcome.
It's very rewarding.
Shelly (15:05):
So what else do you have planned for the future?
Jessica (15:09):
I'm going to continue my speaking career because it's
something, it's my profession.
It's how I get how we pay forfood on the table.
And, and so it's both, uh, abusiness that my husband and I
run, so I will continue to dothat if it means virtually doing
motivational speeches, I'll dothat.
(15:29):
Uh, if we get to a point whereit's basic travel again, and
there was these variants comingout, it's a little scary, but,
um, I've done two in-personevents thus far, uh, with masks
and everything and doing thewhole, um, you know, being
careful about it.
Um, but I hope that there willbe more events cause I plan to
be out there and speaking,continuing to get the message
(15:49):
out there,
Shelly (15:51):
Have you been reaching out to any corporate partners to
kind of help you along with thebuilding of the airplanes and
getting your word out a littlebit broader?
Has anything happened with that?
Jessica (16:00):
Well, I hope this interview will lead to potential
corporate partnerships because Ithink people recognize how
important it is, um, and howimportant it is to continue to
buyer and to motivate and chooseaviation in a very special way.
So I'm looking for corporatepartnerships and people who want
to be a part of this becausewe're really at the very
beginning stage.
Shelly (16:20):
Anybody in particular that you'd hit up, maybe Richard
Branson?
Jessica (16:25):
That would be great.
If you have contacts there, I'mopen to it.
I haven't really reached out tobig VIP's yet.
Shelly (16:35):
We'll hashtag him just to see what happens.
How's that?
Jessica (16:38):
Great.
Thank you.
Yeah.
Shelly (16:40):
So on that note, I was wondering how corporate sponsors
and our listeners can find outmore about you and reach out to
you about these programs?
Jessica (16:48):
Please go to www.jessicacox.com.
And if you want to find outabout the RB 10 project and how
we're going to reach more peopleinspires aviation, you go to
jessicacox.com/project2025.
Shelly (17:03):
Perfect.
And with that, I think we'regoing to finish up and say,
that's our episode today forDisAbility Talks.
Jessica, thanks so much for yourtime.
We really appreciate having youin the studio with us and
telling us all about this.
Jessica (17:14):
Thank you, Shelly, thank you for the opportunity
and inviting me to be a part ofyour community here.
So it's wonderful what you'redoing.
Thank you so much.
Shelly (17:22):
You're you're doing a great job and we're hoping to
hear big things from you soon in2022 and moving on.
And to our listeners.
Thank you so much for joiningand listening in from all over
the world.
Don't forget to hit that Likeand Subscribe button so you
never miss an episode ofDisAbility Talks.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Thanks for tuning in to this episode of DisAbility
Talks.
Want to keep the conversationgoing?
Then visit our website atabilitiesinmotion.org, or
connect with us on social media.
And remember, don't dis myability.
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