Cas' Top Surgery
Donation protected
On November 1st, I injected my first dose of testosterone, initiating a journey that I've been waiting for my entire life. As a gender nonconforming person, I've experienced crippling dysphoria for as long as I can remember. By starting my physical transition to a male body, I will finally be at peace: my days will no longer be built around trying to feel like a human being in a world which demands that because I am female-bodied, I am a woman. Every day, I get a little bit closer to a physical form that aligns with who I really am. I am so, so grateful.
While testosterone is working wonders for me, the fact remains that I have two unwelcome lumps on my chest which aren't going to go away with hormone therapy. In order to hide my feminine chest on a daily basis, I have to wear a binder: an extremely tightly-fitting undergarment that compresses the breasts to the body. While binding eases the pain of dysphoria, it causes a myriad of physical problems for me, largely due to my profession. Being a music educator requires me to excel in both my instrument (trombone) and my ensemble leadership (conducting). When I'm binding, both my breathing and my movement are restricted, making it impossible for me to perform to the best of my ability. Furthermore, binding for more than eight hours at a time can cause serious physical harm. My days are filled with class, work, and rehearsal extending far beyond this eight hour mark. If I continue to bind in this way, I may sustain serious damage in my ribs, but if I don't bind, then I am forced to endure the shame and dysphoria associated with being perceived as female. The way I am currently living is not sustainable.
I've been blessed to receive approval from both a surgeon and my insurance company to undergo top surgery in late March. The procedure calls for a total mastectomy and reconstruction of my chest, meaning that I won't have to bind anymore. However, there is still a $4,000 surgical fee left uncovered by insurance. My family is already swamped with medical bills due to my mother's ongoing treatment for stage IV breast cancer, and I barely have enough money to get myself through school. It's vital to both my health and my profession that I do not delay this procedure. However, I have to submit the fee four weeks before the surgery. I'm trying my best to scrape together the money in time, but $4,000 just isn't feasible for me or my family.
I'm so blessed to have an incredible group of supporters behind me as I transition. Each milestone, from my "coming out" Facebook post to my first testosterone injection, has been met with overwhelming congratulations and love from those around me. I'll never be able to express my gratitude for everyone who has helped me along the way. Now, I need to ask for help one more time: I desperately need to get this $4,000 before the end of February. This surgery is going to change my life, and the opportunity to go through with it would mean the world. Every donation, no matter how small, will help me get closer to the body I need to finally be at peace with myself. Thank you, and all my love to everyone reading this.
While testosterone is working wonders for me, the fact remains that I have two unwelcome lumps on my chest which aren't going to go away with hormone therapy. In order to hide my feminine chest on a daily basis, I have to wear a binder: an extremely tightly-fitting undergarment that compresses the breasts to the body. While binding eases the pain of dysphoria, it causes a myriad of physical problems for me, largely due to my profession. Being a music educator requires me to excel in both my instrument (trombone) and my ensemble leadership (conducting). When I'm binding, both my breathing and my movement are restricted, making it impossible for me to perform to the best of my ability. Furthermore, binding for more than eight hours at a time can cause serious physical harm. My days are filled with class, work, and rehearsal extending far beyond this eight hour mark. If I continue to bind in this way, I may sustain serious damage in my ribs, but if I don't bind, then I am forced to endure the shame and dysphoria associated with being perceived as female. The way I am currently living is not sustainable.
I've been blessed to receive approval from both a surgeon and my insurance company to undergo top surgery in late March. The procedure calls for a total mastectomy and reconstruction of my chest, meaning that I won't have to bind anymore. However, there is still a $4,000 surgical fee left uncovered by insurance. My family is already swamped with medical bills due to my mother's ongoing treatment for stage IV breast cancer, and I barely have enough money to get myself through school. It's vital to both my health and my profession that I do not delay this procedure. However, I have to submit the fee four weeks before the surgery. I'm trying my best to scrape together the money in time, but $4,000 just isn't feasible for me or my family.
I'm so blessed to have an incredible group of supporters behind me as I transition. Each milestone, from my "coming out" Facebook post to my first testosterone injection, has been met with overwhelming congratulations and love from those around me. I'll never be able to express my gratitude for everyone who has helped me along the way. Now, I need to ask for help one more time: I desperately need to get this $4,000 before the end of February. This surgery is going to change my life, and the opportunity to go through with it would mean the world. Every donation, no matter how small, will help me get closer to the body I need to finally be at peace with myself. Thank you, and all my love to everyone reading this.
Organizer
Cas Martin
Organizer
Northampton, MA
