Armless Fil-Am pilot visits typhoon-ravaged Leyte

Tacloban, Philippines—Armless Filipino-American pilot and motivational speaker Jessica Cox arrived in Manila to visit and help persons with disabilities (PWDs) in areas devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Newly-married Cox, accompanied by her husband, Patrick Chamberlain, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was met by members of Handicap International, one of the non-government organizations helping the disabled in typhoon-affected areas.

The couple, both goodwill ambassadors of Handicap International visited Tacloban City and other typhoon-damaged areas to meet with people receiving help from the group.

“People are still recovering from the storm. They will need support for years to come. We’re excited to see for ourselves how Handicap International’s mobile rehabilitation teams are working,” Cox said.

She had a speaking engagement for the Ortigas Foundation Library in Pasig City, which also doubled as a fundraising event for PWDs and a documentary film being made about her.

The couple also visited Eastern Samar, the hometown of Cox’s mother, Ines Macabare.

Handicap International, which has been operating in the Philippines since 1985, said Cox’s presence and messages were especially important in a country like the Philippines, where one in four Filipinos are affected by a disability.

Jessica Cox (born 1983 in Arizona) is the world’s first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association. (Rappler)

Updated: 2014-04-01 — 18:14:44