Laura's Medical and Transition Fund
Donation protected
Hi friends, family and internet strangers!
As you know (or have now figured out), I am currently going through the process of transitioning gender. Many of you who know me will have seen this transformation happen over the course of the past couple years, and hopefully you'll have seen how much happiness and confidence this process has given me. Taking the hard but necessary decision to start coming out and transitioning to live as a woman has been a blessing in innumerable ways, and I have been truly surprised and thankful for the virtually-universal acceptance I've felt from friends and family.
To give you an idea of the journey I've been on so far, here's a quick timeline!
May 2015 - I began the slow process of coming out, first to Arielle (my partner) and a couple of close friends, then my parents and brother.
July 2015 - My first time stepping out in public as a woman, in the beautiful city of York!
April 2016 - Began laser hair removal sessions (painful!)
July 2016 - I legally changed my name via deed poll! Along with this, I came out at work.
Novermber 2016 - Completed my legal gender change - finally getting the long-awaited 'F' under 'Sex' on my passport!
December 2016 - Finally began hormone replacement therapy with a private clinic.
January 2017 - Completed gamete storage at the Leeds Fertility Clinic (so I can hopefully have kids one day!)
September 2017 - My first assessment at the Nottingham NHS clinic
Now - currently waiting for my next NHS appointment at the end of January
Unfortunately, all of this stuff has come at a cost, as there have been medical bills and treatments, administrative fees, travel to far-flung appointments, and even clothes to pay for in such a short space of time. Over the past 2 years I have spent thousands of pounds on these things (see below) while waiting for the NHS to see me, therefore, I have set up this modest fundraising page to hopefully ensure I can continue to afford these services in the future.
To give you an idea of what this process has cost me, here is a quick breakdown:
Laser hair removal - 12 sessions x £150 per session = £1800
Private prescriptions and hormone thereapy - 12 months x £45 per month = £540
Gamete storage and consultation - 2 years x £300 per year = £600
Counselling and support - about £2000 over 2 years
Fees for changing details on Passport, etc. - £100
New clothes (particularly for work) - approx. £1500
In total, I have spent over £6500 in the past 2 years on things directly related to my transition, including almost £3000 just on medical services that should have been covered by the NHS. When I started this process, I was informed that the waiting list for NHS treatment was about 12 months - now some 28+ months later I have only just had my first appointment, and they won't be able to take over any aspects of my medical care until Spring 2018. So while I was able to support myself for the initial 12 months, for the last year and a half I have been barely treading water waiting for the NHS to call.
So, if you could please, please donate any small amount, and share this with your friends and family, it would go a long way to helping out a young trans person in need.
As you know (or have now figured out), I am currently going through the process of transitioning gender. Many of you who know me will have seen this transformation happen over the course of the past couple years, and hopefully you'll have seen how much happiness and confidence this process has given me. Taking the hard but necessary decision to start coming out and transitioning to live as a woman has been a blessing in innumerable ways, and I have been truly surprised and thankful for the virtually-universal acceptance I've felt from friends and family.
To give you an idea of the journey I've been on so far, here's a quick timeline!
May 2015 - I began the slow process of coming out, first to Arielle (my partner) and a couple of close friends, then my parents and brother.
July 2015 - My first time stepping out in public as a woman, in the beautiful city of York!
April 2016 - Began laser hair removal sessions (painful!)
July 2016 - I legally changed my name via deed poll! Along with this, I came out at work.
Novermber 2016 - Completed my legal gender change - finally getting the long-awaited 'F' under 'Sex' on my passport!
December 2016 - Finally began hormone replacement therapy with a private clinic.
January 2017 - Completed gamete storage at the Leeds Fertility Clinic (so I can hopefully have kids one day!)
September 2017 - My first assessment at the Nottingham NHS clinic
Now - currently waiting for my next NHS appointment at the end of January
Unfortunately, all of this stuff has come at a cost, as there have been medical bills and treatments, administrative fees, travel to far-flung appointments, and even clothes to pay for in such a short space of time. Over the past 2 years I have spent thousands of pounds on these things (see below) while waiting for the NHS to see me, therefore, I have set up this modest fundraising page to hopefully ensure I can continue to afford these services in the future.
To give you an idea of what this process has cost me, here is a quick breakdown:
Laser hair removal - 12 sessions x £150 per session = £1800
Private prescriptions and hormone thereapy - 12 months x £45 per month = £540
Gamete storage and consultation - 2 years x £300 per year = £600
Counselling and support - about £2000 over 2 years
Fees for changing details on Passport, etc. - £100
New clothes (particularly for work) - approx. £1500
In total, I have spent over £6500 in the past 2 years on things directly related to my transition, including almost £3000 just on medical services that should have been covered by the NHS. When I started this process, I was informed that the waiting list for NHS treatment was about 12 months - now some 28+ months later I have only just had my first appointment, and they won't be able to take over any aspects of my medical care until Spring 2018. So while I was able to support myself for the initial 12 months, for the last year and a half I have been barely treading water waiting for the NHS to call.
So, if you could please, please donate any small amount, and share this with your friends and family, it would go a long way to helping out a young trans person in need.
Organizer
Laura Stupple
Organizer
