Toddler And Woman, Both Without Arms, Share A Heartwarming Hug

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Image Via ABCNews

Jessica Cox is the first fully licensed armless pilot in the world, and she is also the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association. In addition, Cox, who was born without arms due to a rare birth defect, also gives motivational speeches and is a disability-rights activist. She is, to put it mildly, an inspiration to everyone she meets.

To three-year-old Ruth Evelyn “RE” Pranke, Cox is proof that good things can come from bad beginnings.

Last week, these two remarkable ladies had a chance to meet at the premiere of a documentary about Cox entitled “Right Footed,”

Pranke and her mother traveled six hours from their home in St. Louis to meet Cox, and they had a chance to spend time together.

But perhaps the most beautiful–and touching–moment of their meeting was when the two were able to share a hug. As Cox explained:

“That picture clearly showed that you don’t need arms to embrace someone. It was special that we could feel the same, mutual feeling–what a hug is without arms.”

The little girl’s mother said her daughter’s getting a chance to meet Jessica Cox was a blessing:

“Just lately [RE] has been saying, ‘I want arms,’ because we don’t know a lot of people that don’t. Since we’ve been home, [RE]’s been [saying], ‘Jessica–she’s just like me! she doesn’t have arms.'”