Amar's Top Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Hi! First off, I really hate asking for money, buuuuut I'd really love to not be in debt for the rest of my life. So here's me practicing something I'm not particularly good at: asking for help.
For those of you who don't know me... hello! My name is Amar and I'm a queer and trans person of color. I'm also a psychologist and recently opened my own private practice. I specialize in working with other trans and gender diverse folks, LGB+ individuals, QTPOC, and trauma survivors (among others).
Some of us were not blessed with the luxury of being able to walk this earth with relative ease and comfort. Some of us have to fight very hard for it, each and every day. For many (but not all) trans and gender diverse people, top surgery is a *needed* medical intervention that can significantly reduce gender dysphoria, psychological distress, and suicide rates. However, these types of surgeries are still considered "elective" or "cosmetic," and most insurance plans don't cover them.
So that's why I'm here. For me, chest dysphoria takes up more of my brainspace than I would like most days. In its most benign form, it's a bit like the experience of having a fly constantly buzzing in your ear; you can swat at it or tune it out for awhile, but it always comes back. At its worst... well, it completely envelopes everything else & makes being present in my body basically unbearable. (This barely scratches the surface of why this surgery is so important to me, but it will have to suffice.) All I know is that every cell in my body has been screaming out at me, telling me how euphoric and healing it will be to feel the sun and wind and waves on my bare chest... and I can't ignore that.
The nitty gritty is that this fund will cover the entire cost of top surgery, anesthesia, and hospital fees. I'm hoping to raise enough money in time to schedule my surgery for spring 2021 (largely because top dysphoria during summer has been particularly hellish and I would really love to not have to do that again).
If you're unable to contribute monetarily but still want to help, here are some other suggestions:
-Share this page widely and broadly, especially on social media
-Offer to help with rides to and from post-op appointments (in Durham)
-Help us out with meals (typical recovery time after top surgery is 2-4 weeks)
-Send flowers, cards, or anything else you'd like
-Help me to research stuff like what I should expect, what prep I need to do ahead of time, things to gather, what will help the recovery process, etc.
-Finally (and still very importantly), please check in on me. I’ve done surgery recovery before & anticipate a decent bit of pain, poor sleep, restlessness, and low-grade depression from not being able to do much. Send positive messages, love, encouragement, pet pics, funny vids, whatever. Care and nurture from loved ones is so meaningful, healing, and important to me (and to all of us). <3
Every little bit helps. Thank you SO much for your support! This is totally community care/mutual aid in action. Your investment in me will flow back out into the community through the work I do every day to help my clients heal, grow, flourish, and lead more fulfilling lives.
***NOTE: GoFundMe does take a small cut of the donations, so if I know you and you’d prefer to donate some other way, please let me know.***
For those of you who don't know me... hello! My name is Amar and I'm a queer and trans person of color. I'm also a psychologist and recently opened my own private practice. I specialize in working with other trans and gender diverse folks, LGB+ individuals, QTPOC, and trauma survivors (among others).
Some of us were not blessed with the luxury of being able to walk this earth with relative ease and comfort. Some of us have to fight very hard for it, each and every day. For many (but not all) trans and gender diverse people, top surgery is a *needed* medical intervention that can significantly reduce gender dysphoria, psychological distress, and suicide rates. However, these types of surgeries are still considered "elective" or "cosmetic," and most insurance plans don't cover them.
So that's why I'm here. For me, chest dysphoria takes up more of my brainspace than I would like most days. In its most benign form, it's a bit like the experience of having a fly constantly buzzing in your ear; you can swat at it or tune it out for awhile, but it always comes back. At its worst... well, it completely envelopes everything else & makes being present in my body basically unbearable. (This barely scratches the surface of why this surgery is so important to me, but it will have to suffice.) All I know is that every cell in my body has been screaming out at me, telling me how euphoric and healing it will be to feel the sun and wind and waves on my bare chest... and I can't ignore that.
The nitty gritty is that this fund will cover the entire cost of top surgery, anesthesia, and hospital fees. I'm hoping to raise enough money in time to schedule my surgery for spring 2021 (largely because top dysphoria during summer has been particularly hellish and I would really love to not have to do that again).
If you're unable to contribute monetarily but still want to help, here are some other suggestions:
-Share this page widely and broadly, especially on social media
-Offer to help with rides to and from post-op appointments (in Durham)
-Help us out with meals (typical recovery time after top surgery is 2-4 weeks)
-Send flowers, cards, or anything else you'd like
-Help me to research stuff like what I should expect, what prep I need to do ahead of time, things to gather, what will help the recovery process, etc.
-Finally (and still very importantly), please check in on me. I’ve done surgery recovery before & anticipate a decent bit of pain, poor sleep, restlessness, and low-grade depression from not being able to do much. Send positive messages, love, encouragement, pet pics, funny vids, whatever. Care and nurture from loved ones is so meaningful, healing, and important to me (and to all of us). <3
Every little bit helps. Thank you SO much for your support! This is totally community care/mutual aid in action. Your investment in me will flow back out into the community through the work I do every day to help my clients heal, grow, flourish, and lead more fulfilling lives.
***NOTE: GoFundMe does take a small cut of the donations, so if I know you and you’d prefer to donate some other way, please let me know.***
Organizer
Amar Saxena
Organizer
Raleigh, NC