Welcome to My Everyday Life!
Hi! I’m Portia. I’m 35, five feet tall, and—if you ask anyone who knows me—they’ll tell you I’m chatty, bubbly, and a total open book. My hair is shoulder-length, curly, and dark enough to look almost black. My eyes are brown and a little slanted, and my face is, I’m told, round in that friendly, approachable way. I’m mostly blind, with just some light perception in my left eye and none in my right. I also have Hemiparesis, which means my whole right side is weaker and so I only use my right hand as a helper hand mostly. On top of that, I manage controlled epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and lymphedema (don’t worry, I know, it’s a lot—but it’s all under control, accept for the lymphedema, which I’m managing with the help of my mother, and a lymphedema therapist).
But here’s the thing: I’m obsessed with skincare, finding hacks for everyday tasks, and sharing what works for me with anyone who might need it. I love being online and meeting people by chat or phone way more than in person—home is definitely my happy place.
So, why make this site? Because I want to show you that, no matter what your body throws at you, you can still look after yourself, enjoy the little rituals, and find your own way to do things. Here’s how I handle some of the stuff that’s not always easy when you’ve only got one hand to work with.
How I Type With One Hand
People are always curious about this, especially since I’m online so much. Typing with one hand isn’t fast or glamorous, but it’s totally possible. I use a standard keyboard, and I’ve memorized a lot of shortcuts, due to using a screen reader. My left hand does all the work—index finger for the main keys starting with the homerow being f g h j, pinky for shift and ctrl depending on the game played, and thumb for the spacebar, always, even typing or in all games. For longer stuff, I’ll sometimes use speech-to-text, especially if my hand’s getting tired. There are also specialized one-handed keyboards and on-screen keyboards, but honestly, practice is what makes it possible. I make more typos than I’d like, especially on a touchscreen phone like iPhone/Android—but autocorrect and patience go a long way!
How I Wash My Face
Skincare is my thing—seriously, I’m obsessed. My routine is all about keeping things simple and doable. I set everything up at the sink beforehand: cleanser, disposable towels, regular towel on a hook—which is on the bathroom door, moisturizer. With my left hand, I pump or pour out cleanser, gently rub it over my face in circles, and rinse with splashes of lukewarm water or a wet disposable towel. I use the cloth to get into tricky spots, and to make sure I’m not missing anything. It takes a bit longer, but it always feels good to take the time for myself.
How I Lotion Myself
Moisturizing is non-negotiable for me, especially with lymphedema. I pour or pump lotion onto my left palm, then work it over my skin in sections—arms, neck, chest, legs, and as much of my back as I can reach. For my right arm, I sort of “hug” it with my left and smooth the lotion over that way. It’s not as even as using two hands, but it gets the job done, and my skin thanks me for it. The trickiest part is my back, so sometimes I use a long-handled applicator, or I just focus on the areas I can reach. It’s all about adapting and not stressing the details.
How I Put On Clothes (and Little Tricks That Help)
Getting dressed is one of those things people don’t think much about—until it’s not easy. I’ve figured out a ton of tricks for pulling on shirts, pants, and even fiddly things like bras. Loose tops and stretchy fabrics are my friends. I get a shirt, and start from the bottom, then slowly start moving the shirt over my head, sliding through the bottom, and search with my left hand for the head whole, slip my head in the whole, guiding the shirt with my hand—at last—putting my right arm in the right sleeve, , then pull my left arm in, all through the bottom. For pants, I sit down and thread one leg at a time, then use my left hand to pull everything up and over. Button-downs or zippers take more patience, I just ask for help—my mother is so sweet. If there’s anything really tricky—like tight sleeves or tiny buttons—I’m not shy about asking for help, we just try our best not to buy clothes like that. It’s all about comfort and confidence, not perfection.
Why I Share
I’m all about honesty—none of this is effortless, and some days are better than others. But I want anyone reading this to know: you can find your own way, too. If you’re dealing with vision loss, weakness, or anything else that changes how you move through the world, you’re not alone. There’s always a way to make things work for you, even if it doesn’t look like what you see online or on TV.
If you want to ask me questions, swap tips, or just chat, I’d genuinely love to connect. I’m proof that you don’t have to do things “the normal way” for them to work—and sometimes, the “different” way is even better. 💙