P.S. The photo that accompanies this article is from when Jessica was out in CA (2/07), training with Glen Davis in my Ercoupe, the Sky Sprite.
~Linda Begin forwarded message: > From: "Llewellyn, Mary M > Hi, Linda! Thought you might like to see this: > > > http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3681441/ > Woman-born-with-no-arms-becomes-first-pilot-to-fly-plane-using-only- > feet.html > > > > Jessica Cox <http://uk.youtube.com/watch? > v=QuMHSFPOzpc&feature=related> > > suffered a rare birth defect and was born without any arms. > > > > The psychology graduate can write, type, drive a car, brush her > hair and talk on her phone simply using her feet. > > > > Ms Cox, from Tuscon, Arizona, USA, is also a former dancer and > double black belt in Tai Kwon-Do. > > > > She said: "I never say, 'I can't do that'. I just say, 'I haven't > worked it out yet,'" said Jessica. > > > > "Putting my hair in a pony tail and rock climbing are still on my > list. Those rubber hair ties get me every time." > > > > She explained "I was born this way so I've just learned to adapt." > > > > "When I was born my parents were shocked. But they never made me > feel like I was any different. > > "Other people always stared at me or made comments but I turned > negative feelings into something positive. It's made me very driven." > > > > The only thing she was afraid of was flying. > > > > She said: "I've been terrified and fascinated of flying for as long > as I can remember. > > > > "I remember at school I couldn't go on the swings or monkey bars > because they were impossible for me to play on. > > > > "I used to shut my eyes and imagine myself flying over the > playground like Superwoman instead." > > > > She grew up worried every time she had be an aeroplane passenger. > > > > But three years ago she was given the chance to overcome her fears. > > > > She said: "A fighter pilot, who represents the charity Wright > Flight asked me if I'd like to try flying one myself. > > > > "At first I thought he was nuts. I would have been scared enough if > I had arms, let alone without them. > > > > "But he kept insisting I would love it and so I started to see it > as the ultimate challenge." > > > > She learned to fly in rudderless light Ercoupe aircraft, where you > only need your hands to control it rather than both hands and feet. > > > > She 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. > > > > She said: "The first time my instructor let me take the controls I > remember being terrified but I was hooked immediately. > > > > "Most people were encouraging - but some thought I was taking a > dangerous risk. 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. > > > > Ms Cox is now training to become an instructor - so she can help > other disabled people learn to fly. > > > > "There are so many ways that disabilities can make people believe > that they 'can't' achieve their dreams," said Jessica, who has not > used artificial arms since was 13. > > > > "But I'm evidence that you can." > > > > > >
