The birth of my child

My name is Kortney, I am 24 years old and I was diagnosed with Vaginal Agenesis. I only found out the gist of the diagnoses when I was 16, going into my junior year in high school; I really didn’t fully understand the ins and outs and how hard my life was really going to become, physically and mentally. I went on throughout the rest of high school thinking it wasn’t that big of an issue to me… or at least I wanted to act as if it wasn’t. I made a goal and life decision to join the military, that was my future, I lived, breathed, and focused on becoming a Marine. That was my whole life, my plan A; I was set on making that my career, I had no plan B. High school was spent studying and training for my journey to becoming a part of the USMC. I was very dedicated,  I then realized my diagnoses could no longer be swept under the rug. I was going to find out that my dream of joining the military would be crushed. My recruiter called me one day telling me it is an automatic disqualification because of my “medical problem”. I still told myself there must be an alternative, I looked and fought for ways to go around it for a year until it was finalized, a marine doctor told me it would not be accepted or waived.  After I was considered medically  disqualified I researched what it actually meant to have this disorder. What I found out was that I was born without a uterus. Meaning I could not get pregnant and hold my own child. I was upset that was the reason I would not be allowed to join the service. I looked for answers… I told myself I’d be okay… I can adopt… my doctor even says I have functioning eggs and I can have a surrogate mother, but it wasn’t enough, I struggled with my sexuality I questioned God . I'd ask why did this happened to me? I started working minimum waged jobs and to get my life together. I am constantly reminded every time I see a child, that my disorder not only ruined my career path, but also I will never be able to feel what it’s like to become pregnant and birth my own children. I am a certified CNA. I am getting older in life now and its really hitting me. I felt as in hope was lost.  Then I found out about experimental uterus transplants over seas that were coming to the states. I thought, 'well it doesn't hurt to try and get onto the wait list'.  I waited an entire year before I heard anything. I was finally accepted into the program and put on the waiting list.  They say the Cleveland clinic will pay for all the medical expenses, I  just have to pay for travel and lodging, maybe even living for a while as it will take about on and off a year for the whole process. As I continue this path I will save the money I can. I am working full-time and have made many positive strides in reaching my goals. Anything helps and would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read this and hopefully being a part of my journey.