August's Getting Top Surgery!

Hiya! My name is August (he/they), and this year I'm getting Top Surgery! Woohoo!

I'm a 23-year-old non-binary person living in beautiful Newfoundland. Growing up, I've always had a complex relationship with my gender expression. As a rather androgynous child, I would find a strange joy when strangers had difficulty discerning whether I was a boy or a girl (followed by disappointment when they realized the answer). Now that I'm older and have the vocabulary to describe my experiences, I've learned that I find both comfort and freedom within gender non-conformity. I cut my hair, started HRT, and found a name that brings me so much joy.

One lasting source of discomfort, however, is my chest. It feels like I have a big LED sign reading "THIS PERSON IS FEMALE" in blinking lights bolted to my body. With a lot of consideration and guidance from my doctors, I have decided it's time to free myself from this burden and get top surgery.

Fortunately, MCP has approved my procedure and will cover the majority of it! However, not all the surgical fees are covered by insurance, and I'm looking at a little over $4000 out of pocket.

Also, most gender-affirming surgeries aren't available in Newfoundland itself - folks receiving chest masculinization surgery (like myself!) must travel to Moncton, NB, for their procedures. I'll be receiving mine from Dr. Jayson Dool - a plastic surgeon working in Moncton with years of experience performing chest masculinization surgeries on numerous trans and non-binary individuals. I know I'll be in excellent hands at his clinic - it's just a matter of getting me and my partner there.

Here is an estimated break-down of expenses:

*Travel expenses to cover both myself and my partner

These numbers are based on the experiences of my fellow trans mascs here in NL who've gone through the same process - I'll be updating these amounts once my surgical date is set and I get more concrete plans in place.

I've been saving up what I can and will continue to do so, though as a part-time retail worker in a struggling economy, I'm here asking for some support to make it happen. Absolutely everything helps, including sharing this fundraiser with your friends and family.

Huge thanks and much love,

August