Newly-wed Jessica Cox and Patrick Chamberlain. Photo by AJPress
PASADENA – Fil-Am Jessica Cox continues to defy odds and inspire everyone around her. Last Saturday, she once again proves there’s no limit to what anyone can do.
Born with no arms, the 29-year-old Cox became the first person with her condition to earn a pilot’s license.
She’s a second degree black belt in taekwondo, a renowned tap dancer, types 25 words per minute with her toes, and a certified scuba diver, among other things.
She’s a motivational speaker, and goes around the world telling her story and urges people to maximize their efforts.
On Saturday, Cox officially became Mrs. Chamberlain.
After two years of dating and a year’s engagement, Cox married Patrick Chamberlain of Arizona, a fourth degree taekwondo black belt and instructor. The two met at a taekwondo studio in Arizona.
“My parents always told me I would meet someone who would see me as they saw me,” Cox said to the Asian Journal. “The fact that Patrick could see me for who I am and not my disability is a reason why I love him.”
Dressed beautifully in a specially designed wedding dress made by renowned Filipino designer Francis Libiran, Cox married at St. Andrews Church in Pasadena with Bishop Oscar Solis presiding the ceremony.
She lit the ceremonial candle with her right foot. Rather than presenting her with a ring, Patrick bent down on one knee and wrapped a gold anklet around her left ankle.
“I am very happy Jessica found Patrick,” said Jason Cox, Jessica’s brother. I wish them a happy marriage together. Jessica did not date many people so I was surprised she would be married this young. God has really blessed them.”
At a private garden reception in South Pasadena, Patrick and Jessica impressed their guests with an elegant first dance routine with opera singers performing the tune. It was a festive gathering full of friends and family sharing the love and joy the couple has for one another.
Role Model
From the outside looking in, it appeared to be a normal wedding but for three other guests, young women who shares Jessica’s disability it meant more.
Ira Kaplan, 14, and Teresa, 11, and Anna Buchholz, 18, were all born with no arms. They have known Jessica Cox for years through the International Children Assistance Network (ICAN) and to say they look up to the Fil-Am would be an understatement. Jessica is their role model.
“She proves to everyone that everything is possible and that you can do what you dream of,” said Teresa.
Anna said watching Jessica get married only proves that she and her friends can also find love one day despite their condition.
“We don’t have to worry about finding the perfect man,” said Teresa. “We won’t have to worry about all the wedding stuff like how it’s going to work. We just know it’s going to work somehow.”
“I don’t have to worry about the first dance or where to put a ring because she [Jessica] totally figured that out before me,” added Ira.
During the reception, Jessica cut the cake with her right foot and shoved it in her husband’s face in jest. When it came time to throwing the bouquet, Jessica kicked it up in the air.
It was Ira, who managed to come up with it.
“Now, I just have to find the perfect man,” said Ira.