Doctors still aren’t sure why Jessica Cox was born without arms. The rare congenital condition wasn’t discovered during prenatal tests or sonograms. Prosthetics were available to her as a child, but she hated wearing them. Instead, Jessica decided to tackle the world with two limbs, foregoing self pity for an attitude of optimism. “For the most part I don’t think about the restrictions, or how I can’t do something,” she says. “I think about how I can make it happen.” [1]

As a child, she was active with gymnastics, tap dancing and swimming. She taught herself how to drive with her feet, and type at 25 words per minute.

Jessica was also the first armless person to get a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do, and the first woman in the history of aviation to fly with her feet.

After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in psychology, she founded RightFooted.com and travels around the country as a motivational keynote speaker. Employers and educational professionals laud Cox for her ability to spread optimism and a “can-do attitude” to anyone in any stage of life. [2]

Sources:

[1] “Young People Who Rock: Jessica Cox” // CNN.com. February 22, 2009

[2] RightFooted.com: Jessica Cox Motivational Services

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