She can put on contact lenses, drive a car and sign her name -- all with her feet -- but Jessica Cox's biggest accomplishment may be up in the air.
The 29-year-old Arizona native and Tucson resident was born without arms as a result of a rare birth defect, yet she got her pilot's license in 2008 and made the 2011 Guinness World Book of Records for being the world's first licensed armless pilot.
She has overcome her insecurities and now uses her message of desire, persistence and fearlessness to motivate others.
"It was tough being different growing up. For me, it was a challenge to go to public school and always be stared at," Cox said. "I had a choice to embrace that part of my life or avoid it."
So she chose to not hide behind long-sleeve sweaters and instead took up surfing, scuba diving and taekwondo (she is a black belt) and conquered her biggest fear -- flying. Like other tasks, she pilots with her feet.
Cox, who studied psychology at the University of Arizona, is now a motivational speaker. She has spoken in 17 countries and met President Barack Obama, Pope Benedict XVI and boxer Manny Pacquiao, among others.
Martha Phillips, board president of the Ninety-Nines Inc. women pilots organization, was impressed by Cox years ago when she came to Camarillo, Calif., for pilot proficiency classes.
"My first thought was, 'How in the world could she possibly fly a plane?'" Phillips said. "She is an inspiration not only to pilots but to all kinds of people."
Cox and her husband, Patrick Chamberlin, met in 2010 when he was her taekwondo instructor. The pair married in May and continue to work together.
He said she is independent when it comes to training and life in general.
"I learned really quickly that working and traveling with Jessica means that once you start, it's nonstop," Chamberlin said.
He said they traveled from West Africa to North Carolina and the Philippines in 72 hours during one trip.
Cox is the subject of a documentary being filmed about her life and accomplishments, titled "Rightfooted." A trailer for the film can be seen at http://rightfooted.com/movie. Cox and the filmmaker are hoping to complete the film through donations from the public.
In the trailer, Cox is seen as a girl with prosthetic arms as she explains that she was called "hook" and "robot girl" growing up. She is later seen wearing her favorite flying shirt, which reads, "Look Ma, no hands!"
"I remember that as a child I always wanted to fly like Superwoman over my playground, because I was so angry about how limited I was," she says during the trailer.
"With the documentary, I will be able to reach millions of people to say it's OK to be different," Cox said in an interview.
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