Transforming disability into motivational inspiration for millions
Jessica Cox
When Fil-Am Jessica Cox was born, her parents were stunned to discover that she had no arms. Instead of just feeling sorry for her, however, they forced themselves to quickly get over the shock, and focused on what they could do to help her live an active, productive and happy life, despite her disability.
At first, she resisted their efforts to accentuate the positive, and was understandably angry about her tragic fate.
In time, however, she was able to imbibe their upbeat outlook and develop her other faculties and abilities to the max.
So, she eventually excelled in taekwondo, finished college—and even learned how to fly a plane!
In the process, she became a major inspiration for many other disadvantaged people, especially when she became a motivational speaker who traveled all over the globe to provide a shining example and vivification of man’s ability to overcome the worst possible situation—and triumph over them.
Jessica’s inspiring story was movingly told recently on NGC’s “Right Footed” docu special, and viewers were grateful for the golden opportunity to get to know a uniquely courageous and selfless “against all odds” winner.
What made the TV focus on Jessica powerfully persuasive was the piercing and luminous honesty of her sharing.
She shared not just her triumphs, but also her struggles and failures—not to mention the bullying she received from heartless schoolmates and strangers.
This honesty has made her a particularly effective role model for other disabled people, who have their own trials and tribulations to contend with.
In a particularly gripping section of the hour-long NGC feature, Jessica is shown being visited by four younger girls who are similarly armless.
They candidly share that, before Jessica’s sterling example inspired them to similarly hope and act, their aspirations for themselves were severely circumscribed by extreme negativism. But her total lack of self-pity made them see the light, and turn their lives around!
Another striking section focused on Jessica’s wedding to her hugely supportive husband, who now travels all over the world with her on her motivational tours.
It took him some time to realize that the best thing he could do for her was not to “help” her move about and do her daily chores.
He learned to treat her like a normal person in every way and in every sense of the word.
That took some figuring out on his part and the lesson learned is illuminating for viewers with disabled relatives as well.
Finally, the Jessica Cox docu was a powerful learning experience for “able” people, too. They may not be physically limited, but their own psychological problems sometimes knock them out for the count—so, they also need help and inspiration.
Jessica is able to provide that because her self-actualizing methods and processes are so dynamic that everybody can benefit from them.
In our case, Jessica’s example humbled us so much that after viewing her triumphant life story, we vowed never to complain about anything ever again!
