Abel's gender-affirming surgery

Hi, my name is Abel, and I'm 18 years old. Will you please help me achieve a dream I’ve had for the last 7 years? I am hoping to be able to have gender-affirming top surgery in June of this year, and the only thing holding me back is the funding. You have no idea how much your support means to me!

I've known I wasn't cisgender (the female gender assigned to me at birth) since I was 11 years old. I remember the discomfort I felt as I went through puberty and began to get a body that I didn't want, and not being able to articulate why I was so uncomfortable. But even when I was at my worst, I was fortunate to be surrounded by supportive friends and family who have helped me to present as my true self in many ways.

Realizing that I like feminine clothes and becoming comfortable wearing them has been a huge boost in confidence for me, but most feminine clothes are also made to emphasize the wearer's breasts. It may be hard for a cisgender person (or even a binary trans person) to understand that I want to be able to wear these feminine clothes while having no breasts at all. I much prefer the idea of wearing a dress with a low neckline if that low neckline shows a masculine chest. I've wanted top surgery for more than half a decade, and getting gender-affirming top surgery (i.e., my breasts removed) will make me feel more like myself for the rest of my life.

I'm lucky to have the ability to get a surgery that would allow me to be more comfortable and confident in my body, even with the current political climate in both North Carolina (where I live) and the U.S. as a whole trying its best to prevent it. Fortunately, I just turned 18, so I am out of range of the laws targeting trans youth and limiting their access to gender-affirming care that just passed in North Carolina.

The only thing holding me back from my dream is the funds I will need for the surgery. We’ve met with the surgeon who will perform the surgery (hopefully this June after school ends, since I won’t have full mobility in my arms for a couple of weeks afterwards and I’d like to get this done before I begin my college journey). The surgery will be covered by insurance, and the surgeon’s office is helping us to figure out with our insurance company the exact out-of-pocket amount we'll owe in copays and coinsurance once all is said and done. While we don’t have specific quotes from the insurance company yet, in their experience we're looking at bills somewhere in the $5,000 to $8,000 range. If I’m fortunate enough to raise more than I wind up needing for the surgery, I will dedicate any remaining funds to the daunting expenses of my first year of college.

Several friends and family members have already helped me raise some of the funds I will need – a total of $975 so far. I am so grateful! And I still have a long way to go to achieve my dream. Any contribution will be appreciated and so helpful. We have set up a bank account specifically for any contributions toward this surgery.

Thank you for considering helping me in my life's journey. I'm so glad to have caring and supportive people like you on my side and in my life.

Gratefully,

Abel