Top Surgery Funding
Donation protected
The first time I wore a binder it was actually an ace bandage. I had put it on so tight I could hardly breathe, but I didn't care. All I could focus on was the planate silhouette of my compressed chest in the mirror. It was a Thursday. I remember just standing there, unable to move, as warmth crawled from my toes to my throat and spilled over in to a lifetime of tears. It was the first time I had ever identified with my own reflection.
That was two years of Thursday ago. That warmth is still present every time I see my frame in the mirror, and sometimes, so are the tears. It's still hard to breathe and there are scar marks, often left raw from heat and friction, where the binders constantly rub against my skin.
This feels like a small price to pay to finally experience a semblance of connection with my body. Some nights I even wear it to sleep wether be from exhaustion of constantly putting it on and taking it off or the security it brings along with it some nights I just don't have it in me to go through the emotional and physical dance.
In the fall of last year, I began to pursue top surgery. For those who don't speak "trans" that's a subcutaneous mastectomy which also includes reconstructive contouring to create a masculine chest. I found a surgeon, did the pre ops, the paperwork, got the referral letters, the mammogram but in February the funding for my surgery was denied by my insurance.
Including surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, additional facility fees, pathology fees, and other medical tests plus post-operative costs such as a medical compression vest, medication, scar care, and unpaid leave from work the total cost of my surgery peaks at $15,000.00. My current financial reality being that's half a year's income.
I'm setting up this fund asking friends, family, and community members who are able to contribute toward medical costs to make this surgery my reality.
It's been two years since I began my gender transition and not one second of it I've had to do alone, so why start now.
I thank you in advance for donation and thank you always for your love and support.
Sincerely,
Nathan James Skeie
That was two years of Thursday ago. That warmth is still present every time I see my frame in the mirror, and sometimes, so are the tears. It's still hard to breathe and there are scar marks, often left raw from heat and friction, where the binders constantly rub against my skin.
This feels like a small price to pay to finally experience a semblance of connection with my body. Some nights I even wear it to sleep wether be from exhaustion of constantly putting it on and taking it off or the security it brings along with it some nights I just don't have it in me to go through the emotional and physical dance.
In the fall of last year, I began to pursue top surgery. For those who don't speak "trans" that's a subcutaneous mastectomy which also includes reconstructive contouring to create a masculine chest. I found a surgeon, did the pre ops, the paperwork, got the referral letters, the mammogram but in February the funding for my surgery was denied by my insurance.
Including surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, additional facility fees, pathology fees, and other medical tests plus post-operative costs such as a medical compression vest, medication, scar care, and unpaid leave from work the total cost of my surgery peaks at $15,000.00. My current financial reality being that's half a year's income.
I'm setting up this fund asking friends, family, and community members who are able to contribute toward medical costs to make this surgery my reality.
It's been two years since I began my gender transition and not one second of it I've had to do alone, so why start now.
I thank you in advance for donation and thank you always for your love and support.
Sincerely,
Nathan James Skeie
Organizer
Nathan James Skeie
Organizer
Stillwater, MN
