On the Other Hand

Emily Tisshaw was born without a left hand. So, from birth, she had to do things a little differently in order to navigate a two-handed world. This practical guide grows out of a lifelong process of adaptation, trial and error, and learning how to exist confidently in spaces that were never designed with her body in mind.

Blending personal storytelling with clear, accessible advice and disability theory concepts, Emily explores everyday life with a physical disability: relationships and dating, school and the workplace, body image, advocacy, and navigating public spaces and systems. She shares tools, strategies, and honest reflections that speak directly to readers with physical disabilities, without glossing over frustration, fatigue, or inequality.

This is not inspiration porn. This is a practical, compassionate guide for those in the PD community who want to live well on their own terms, and for anyone seeking to understand disability through the voice of someone who lives it every day.