She is beautiful, she is lovely and she is married to one of the most hilarious and gregarious TV personalities I know of. I didn’t know anything about Portia until I picked up her book Unbearable Lightness one day. I had seen it written about on a blog and it was described as a harsh depiction of the reality of living with an eating disorder. Having suffered with an eating disorder as a teenager it piqued my interest quicker than any other book I have ever bought.
Portia is uncompromisingly honest in this book. I can imagine that for some people it could make for quite an uncomfortable read as it faces issues that people are often unwilling to discuss head-on. Eating disorders are often perceived as something to be embarrassed about and as such should be kept hidden. To lay bare her most troubled times in this way is such an incredibly brave act, I am in awe. I watched her interview with Oprah just after the book was published and she admits that having to recall all the terrible memories and form them into words often left her crying at her desk. So in this short post, I would like to thank her.
Portia, thank you for laying your experiences and your heart break out onto the pages of a book. I have never read anything I have felt more able to relate to than this book and it felt like therapy for my heart. This book was such a selfless, beautiful, inspirational thing to write, thank you for opening your soul to the world. I know that you will help countless people who are suffering, or have suffered, from eating disorders. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
After learning more about Portia I began to look into Ellen’s life. Coming out to the world in such a public way – wow. I got to see a little of the negativity Ellen experienced in her life in her Oprah interview in 1997, which was just the tip of the iceberg. There must have been innumerable gay people who felt inspired by simple act of honesty and she certainly played a part in paving the way for the acceptance of gay rights. Portia and Ellen are both remarkable women, standing up for the truth in a society that can punish us for it, whether it be our sexual orientation or illnesses that has been stigmatised. Their love for one another is a beautiful thing to behold and I believe their imprint on society will leave behind a legacy of enlightenment, undoubtedly saving lives.
Women of Fire 