Sophie Helf
Computer Programmer and Writer from San Francisco, California
“I went to college for graphic design, but when I started building my own website I realized I actually liked that a lot more. I went to a coding boot camp five days a week for 15 weeks, which was very intense but ultimately worth it, because now I’m a software developer. Writing is a completely separate thing I do—I like having two very contrasting practices. I write a lot about disability. I was in a pretty serious accident about three years ago and I have prosthetic legs now, which still feels kind of surreal. I’m very much still processing, so I’m really curious to see how my thoughts will change five years down the line.
I have fancy legs. They have flexible ankles and they take two seconds to put on in the morning—a lot of people can’t even tell I have prosthetics. Actually, I recently got rose gold covers for them, which I’m obsessed with. I figured if I was going to wear dresses in the summer I wanted my legs to look good. It’s funny because, growing up, I struggled a lot with what I looked like. Now I feel more powerful—my friends say things like, ‘You’re a little obsessed with yourself,’ and I am. I think I’m hot shit. Just because I have prosthetic legs doesn’t mean I can’t be a little vain. The disability doesn’t change that, you know?
I can be very messy and disorganized, so I love that I stick to my skincare routine. In the mornings I use Pixi Rose Cream Cleanser, alcohol-free witch hazel toner, and then some niacinamide from The Ordinary. I tend to get very rosy cheeked, and I noticed that stuff really helps with some of the redness. It’s pretty affordable, and it’s worked the best out of a couple different niacinamide serums I’ve tried. To finish I like the basic, plain moisturizer from Kiehl’s and then some Neutrogena sunscreen. I don’t wear makeup because I really love when you can see my freckles. Actually, when everyone was using that freckle filter on Instagram I was like, ‘Oh man, that’s my look!’
I walk at least 13,000 steps a day. I literally wrote my college dissertation on the concept of walking in a city—it’s my favorite thing. I was in a wheelchair for six months, and learning to walk again was so much effort. Now, I love how fast I can walk. Even if it’s just down the street to the bodega, the freedom to go for a walk is great.”