AJ’s Life Changing Top Surgery!

Update: I’ve had surgery and am 5 weeks post op! Recovery is going well, physically and mentally it’s a lot to go through but I’m getting there! I’m looking to go back to work next week, it’s slightly early but we need to get more money in as we are struggling financially. Hopefully it will all be back to normal soon and we can get rid of the money anxiety. I’ve had some great support from friends, family and even folk I’ve never met before! I’m so so so grateful to you all for helping me get through this! I already know it’s changed my life, the relief I feel is massive and it can only get better as time and healing goes on.

Big love ❤️ 

AJ

Hey folks

I’m need to do something I didn’t want to do - I’ve been given really short notice to finally get top surgery! After trying to work out how we can manage to do this financially, the reality is that we can’t. Although I’m in a VERY privileged position getting this surgery on the NHS (thank you thank you thank you) I do need to ask for some financial help from friends, family and our LGBTQIA+ community.

My situation

I’ve been on a long waiting list for this surgery and thought I’d be given a lot more time to prepare. I got a call and they have scheduled me in for July 18th one day after my birthday! What a present! This makes me absolutely giddy with joy, but also anxious and panicked because I know we can’t afford for me to be off of work for the lengthy recovery period. I’m self employed and 6 weeks without pay, plus travel costs to Hull and back several times (thank you for driving me Mum), hotel for my Mum and Bec to stay in whilst I’m in hospital and equipment for when I’m out - just isn’t doable, without help.

Why is this surgery so important?

This surgery is going to change my life. I bind my chest daily, even to just pop out to my own garden. I started a football club for people like me who have always been excluded. It’s a safe space to enjoy football and as much as I love going, I also dread it each week - because I know I’ll be running around in a tight binder and struggling to catch my breath with the compression. I hide myself away when possible. On really bad days, when feeling particularly dysphoric I hide from myself in a dark room because I can’t handle seeing my own body. Sometimes all I see and feel is my chest and it’s traumatic. I’m putting myself through a massive surgery (which I am so so scared of), because the thought of being free and being in a body that finally looks and feels on the outside, the same as what I feel on the inside, makes me feel really hopeful and happy. I’m nearly 39, there have been a lot of traumatic years being transgendered.

It’s okay if you can’t afford it, could you please share my story instead?

We are in a cost of living crisis and I appreciate that most people won’t be able to afford to donate, even when they want to support me and that’s okay. If you could support me by sharing this out on your social media, there might be someone else who is in a better position to help; maybe they have gone through the same, maybe they have a trans child or family member or maybe they just have big hearts and want to help.

Thank you so much for supporting me!

Every single penny is appreciated. Every like, share, repost will get me one step further to being able to have this surgery. Helping me to not be stressed the entire time, because it’s caused such a financial strain on us.

Big love to all!

AJ