Get Us Together for Christmas
Donation protected
How does someone even begin to ask for people for help like this?
My name is Sebastian, I’m a twenty-two year old trans man living in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. My fiancé, Logan, lives in England. We’ve been together for years now, working the long distance relationship as best we can. It’s been rough, lately, with Logan suffering from a disability which had stunted his income to a few small government cheques a month.
Back in January of this year (’14), Logan applied to a Canadian grant that would allow him to live and work in the country for a full year. He applied and was rejected. We were both devastated, and it was a very heavy blow to our individual depression. Months after, a co-worker of mine introduced me to a program called SWAP, a Canadian run organization that sends Canadians between the ages of 18 and 30 overseas for differing periods to work and gain experience. It was a spark of hope for both Logan and I, the only problem is, it’s very expensive. The Visa itself is included in a $680 dollar fee, plus travel insurance (minimum $400), as well as a security fund of £1,800.00 (That’s about $3,300 Canadian dollars). Then there’s also the plane ticket, as well as a renewed passport and all of my current medical bills.
I work a full time job, taking 3 buses a day to reach my place of work, and three buses back. I am a minimum wage earner, and while I’m funnelling a large portion of everything I make into a savings account, it’s become increasingly rough trying to balance rent, food, bills, and transportation costs. What I have managed to save thus far is a pittance compared to what we need. We appreciate anything thrown our way, even if it’s only a dollar or two, and would not ask if we weren't desperate.
For me, at least, the chance to escape to England to be with my partner is everything. I’m on the cusp of transitioning, and have spent a good while now with several doctors and a very expensive psychologist (the only local woman who deals with Transgender issues). To get away from an unsupportive home to a place where I have never felt more welcome is my ultimate goal, and I wish I had more than gratitude and coffee to offer. We both do.
My name is Sebastian, I’m a twenty-two year old trans man living in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. My fiancé, Logan, lives in England. We’ve been together for years now, working the long distance relationship as best we can. It’s been rough, lately, with Logan suffering from a disability which had stunted his income to a few small government cheques a month.
Back in January of this year (’14), Logan applied to a Canadian grant that would allow him to live and work in the country for a full year. He applied and was rejected. We were both devastated, and it was a very heavy blow to our individual depression. Months after, a co-worker of mine introduced me to a program called SWAP, a Canadian run organization that sends Canadians between the ages of 18 and 30 overseas for differing periods to work and gain experience. It was a spark of hope for both Logan and I, the only problem is, it’s very expensive. The Visa itself is included in a $680 dollar fee, plus travel insurance (minimum $400), as well as a security fund of £1,800.00 (That’s about $3,300 Canadian dollars). Then there’s also the plane ticket, as well as a renewed passport and all of my current medical bills.
I work a full time job, taking 3 buses a day to reach my place of work, and three buses back. I am a minimum wage earner, and while I’m funnelling a large portion of everything I make into a savings account, it’s become increasingly rough trying to balance rent, food, bills, and transportation costs. What I have managed to save thus far is a pittance compared to what we need. We appreciate anything thrown our way, even if it’s only a dollar or two, and would not ask if we weren't desperate.
For me, at least, the chance to escape to England to be with my partner is everything. I’m on the cusp of transitioning, and have spent a good while now with several doctors and a very expensive psychologist (the only local woman who deals with Transgender issues). To get away from an unsupportive home to a place where I have never felt more welcome is my ultimate goal, and I wish I had more than gratitude and coffee to offer. We both do.
Organizer
Bastian Hawkins
Organizer
Nepean, ON
