The world’s first armless licensed pilot is the feature of a new documentary, but it’s a photo she took backstage at a screening that has gone viral.
Jessica Cox’s story is featured in ‘Right Footed’ – a feature film focussing on the 32-year old pilot who drives with her feet.
As well as conquering her career ambitions, Cox has a black belt in two martial arts and is a motivational speaker.
So when Karlyn Evelyn wanted to teach her three-year old daughter Ruth that her disability wouldn’t hold her back, she had an idea.
Ruth Evelyn (called RE by her family), was also born armless and mum Karlyn said she wanted her daughter to meet Jessica since before her birth.
Speaking to ABC News, Karlyn said:
“It’s been very inspirational to me that she has come as far as she has to overcome her disability – and my daughter has always said, especially lately, ‘I want arms, I want arms.
“I wanted her to see she doesn’t have to have arms. I wanted her to see all the things Jessica can do.”
So when the pair met at Jessica’s film premiere, this special snap really summed up the moment:
Following their introduction, Jessica told local news stations:
“When I meet a child without arms, it feels like I’m giving back. It’s that feeling of ‘Oh, I’m going to be OK. I’m going to be able do everything this woman did,’ is what I’m giving back to RE and other children. It’s saying ‘I’m going to be just fine.'”
And it seems the moment meant just as much to little RE, whose mother said:
“She’s been saying since we got home, ‘She’s just like me. She doesn’t have arms’.”
Story via i100
