Armless pilot Jessica Cox returns to PH

Filipino American Jessica Cox, included in Guinness World Records 2014 as the “first woman to fly an airplane with her feet”, will be in the country to help her mother’s Yolanda-devastated hometown near Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

She will visit the Pacific coast town among the first places hit by the supertyphoon where her ancestral home was heavily damaged. The 31-year-old University of Arizona psychology graduate, who drives, types, plays the piano, and even puts on contact lenses with her feet, will also hold a fund-raising event, Tuesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. in the Decagon, Silver City, on Frontera Verde corner Julia Vargas, Pasig City.

Tickets at P1,000 and P2,000 donation may be obtained at tel. 631-1231 (ask for the Library). Donors contributing P2,000 are entitled to bring two PWDs free of charge. Those attending without companions can obtain tickets for P1,000 donation. There are also a limited number of free seats for PWDs.

Proceeds from the 90-minute event will go to organizations helping persons with disabilities (PWDs) as well as producing an inspirational documentary on Cox’s life. She has visited 18 countries giving motivational speeches about her life and achievements, which include skydiving, horse riding, scuba diving, surfing, mentoring, advocacy and a black belt championship in Tae Kwon Do.

Born armless due to a rare birth defect, the Arizona native stopped using prosthetic arms at age 14, and at 25 in 2008, obtained her license to pilot light-sport aircraft up to 10,000 feet in altitude. In 2009, she was featured in the book Ripley’s Believe It or Not. In 2011, Guinness World Records recognized her feat with a medal that she personally offered to Pope Benedict XVI. In 2012, she was invited to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2013, she was recognized as one the “10 Best Pilots” of Plane & Pilot Magazine. Also in 2013, she was awarded at the Inspiration Awards for Women, where singer Adele was also recognized. Among other programs, she has been featured on the Ellen show, CNN and BBC. She married in 2012. Jessica and husband Patrick will arrive Monday night on Japan Airlines. – Press Release/Rappler.com