Jessica was born on Feb 2, 1983, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Her birth came as a surprise to everyone, including the doctors and her parents, since All the PRENATAL TESTS showed no signs of any issues.
But when she was born without arms, it left everyone searching for answers.
Doctors were left without answers. They told her parents, “Sometimes, there’s no medical explanation for it.”
Her father, William,72, a retired band teacher, and Her mother, Inez,62, a nurse, initially found it challenging to accept the reality and became anxious about her daughter’s future.
From a young age, Jessica adapted by using her feet to perform tasks typically done with her hands. She learned to write, type, and even play the piano with her toes.
By the time she was 3, Jessica was enrolled in gymnastics classes.
By 6, she was swimming in the backyard pool and tapping out rhythms in dance class.
After wearing prosthetic arms for 11 years, she finally decided to stop using them
On her first day of eighth grade, she take off her prosthetics before boarding the school bus.
As the bus door closed behind me, I felt freer and independent. Since that day, I never wore the prosthetics again.
At age 10, Jessica began training in Taekwondo. By 14, she earned her first black belt and later went on to earn second, third, and fourth-degree black belts. While in college, she continued training at the American Taekwondo Association (ATA).
Jessica graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a degree in psychology and a minor in communications.
To help students without arms, she helped develop a modified curriculum, including knee strikes instead of punches. Jessica also became the 2014 Arizona State Champion in forms.
On Oct 10, 2008, Jessica made history by becoming the world’s first licensed armless pilot, proving that physical limitations don’t have to hold anyone back.
“This milestone showed me that the only limits are the ones we set for ourselves,” she later said. In 2011, she earned a Guinness World Record for this achievement.
Jessica trained under Parrish Traweek with an Able Flight scholarship. She flies a light-sport aircraft, the ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, which she controls with her feet. Her pilot’s certificate allows her to fly to altitudes of up to 10,000 feet.
She’s also working on the “Impossible Airplane” project, teaming up with students from the University of Arizona to create an aircraft that can be piloted using only feet, with a prototype expected by 2025.
In 2017, Jessica started the Rightfooted Foundation International, a nonprofit that helps children born without arms.
The foundation focuses on mentorship, independence, and raising awareness for people with limb differences. Jessica mentors kids and families, giving them the tools and support they need to live independently.
As a child, there was no way to understand why I did not have arms like everyone else. It was difficult being different, said Jessica
For over 18 years, Jessica has been a motivational speaker, sharing her story with people in 28 countries. She’s spoken at major companies like NASA, JP Morgan Chase, and AT&T. Her story has been featured on shows like Ellen, CNN, National Geographic, and BBC News.
She’s also the subject of the award-winning documentary Right Footed, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nick Spark.
Jessica loves adventure and physical challenges. She’s a certified scuba diver and recently took up golf, modifying her equipment to fit her needs.
In 2014, she completed the 40-mile segment of El Tour de Tucson, showing her strength and determination.
In 2015, Jessica wrote the book Disarm Your Limits, aiming to inspire readers to face their own challenges, using the lessons she’s learned throughout her life.
Jessica has earned many awards for her achievements. She was named one of Plane and Pilot Magazine’s “Top 10 Pilots” and is a Goodwill Ambassador for the NGO Humanity and Inclusion.
She has received several awards for her advocacy and work empowering people with disabilities.
Jessica married Patrick Chamberlain in May 2012, and he’s been a strong supporter of her journey. She also has a younger brother, Michael, who has always been there for her.
I fed my hubby our wedding cake with my foot! – Jessica
Jessica is still actively changing the world. She’s focused on her work with the Rightfooted Foundation, mentoring children with limb differences and fighting for inclusion.
As a motivational speaker, she keeps inspiring audiences worldwide. Jessica also enjoys pursuing scuba diving, golf, and other physical challenges, showing her unstoppable spirit.
