Eli's Top Surgery
Donation protected
My name is Eli. My pronouns are he/him/his. I am super excited to be raising money for my top surgery!
Why top surgery?
As a trans guy, I experience a lot of gender dysphoria. Dysphoria takes an incredible toll on my mental and emotional health, simultaneously impacting my daily quality of life. My body is directly related to how much dysphoria I experience on a daily basis.
One way I currently combat dysphoria is by using a binder to flatten my chest. This is common among transmasculine people, as are the serious injuries that are direct results from binding. In October 2015, through a very painful process, I discovered that using a binder had sprained my ribs. Many months later, I continue to experience daily physical pain. Every morning, the choice to bind is choosing between my mental health and my physical health.
My pursuit of top surgery is in respect of my body and my mind.
Why fundraise?
It is highly unlikely that my health insurance will cover this necessary procedure, which is why I am in need of funds enough to pay entirely out of pocket.
My surgeon, Dr. Alison Shore, has quoted my surgery to be $8,000-$10,000 (dependent on day-of Operating Room time). I am hoping to raise an additional $2,000 to cover post-operative expenses, such as prescriptions, follow-up appointments, necessary compression vests, etc.
Should I surpass my fundraising goal, the excess funds will be donated to Youth Empowerment Performance Project, working with queer and trans homeless youth.
Timeline
My surgery date is scheduled for June 10, 2016! In addition to this online fundraiser, my queer community here in Chicago is helping me host a fundraiser on May 13th. In recognizing the financial realities of most of my friends, I hope to supplement the amount raised on May 13th with money raised here. This is why my current online goal is less than the quoted cost of surgery. Remember- any additional funds raised will be donated to YEPP !
THANK YOU!
Your contribution means solidarity.
It means a deconstruction of systemic oppression of trans folks.
It means visibility.
It means an acknowledgement of a narrative you might not quite understand. It means an understanding of the necessity of living in a safe body. It means love.
Your contribution means hope.
Thank you for partnering with me in this exciting next step to seek gender self-determination.
- Eli
Why top surgery?
As a trans guy, I experience a lot of gender dysphoria. Dysphoria takes an incredible toll on my mental and emotional health, simultaneously impacting my daily quality of life. My body is directly related to how much dysphoria I experience on a daily basis.
One way I currently combat dysphoria is by using a binder to flatten my chest. This is common among transmasculine people, as are the serious injuries that are direct results from binding. In October 2015, through a very painful process, I discovered that using a binder had sprained my ribs. Many months later, I continue to experience daily physical pain. Every morning, the choice to bind is choosing between my mental health and my physical health.
My pursuit of top surgery is in respect of my body and my mind.
Why fundraise?
It is highly unlikely that my health insurance will cover this necessary procedure, which is why I am in need of funds enough to pay entirely out of pocket.
My surgeon, Dr. Alison Shore, has quoted my surgery to be $8,000-$10,000 (dependent on day-of Operating Room time). I am hoping to raise an additional $2,000 to cover post-operative expenses, such as prescriptions, follow-up appointments, necessary compression vests, etc.
Should I surpass my fundraising goal, the excess funds will be donated to Youth Empowerment Performance Project, working with queer and trans homeless youth.
Timeline
My surgery date is scheduled for June 10, 2016! In addition to this online fundraiser, my queer community here in Chicago is helping me host a fundraiser on May 13th. In recognizing the financial realities of most of my friends, I hope to supplement the amount raised on May 13th with money raised here. This is why my current online goal is less than the quoted cost of surgery. Remember- any additional funds raised will be donated to YEPP !
THANK YOU!
Your contribution means solidarity.
It means a deconstruction of systemic oppression of trans folks.
It means visibility.
It means an acknowledgement of a narrative you might not quite understand. It means an understanding of the necessity of living in a safe body. It means love.
Your contribution means hope.
Thank you for partnering with me in this exciting next step to seek gender self-determination.
- Eli
Organizer
Elias Nelson
Organizer
Chicago, IL
