Hi everyone.

I want to make this as brief and candid as possible, and sometimes I'm really bad at expressing what I'm trying to say, or feel guilty when it comes to these sorts of things, which is why I waited this long to put it together. It's usually the last resort after trying to raise funds one way or another and I'm setting my pride aside to ask for help.

This month I'm turning 40 years old and I've been living with my mom. My depression has been weighing on me pretty hard. I take meds, therapy, the works, but it always comes back to one thing; feeling comfortable in my body and having the money for a surgery to make that possible. Earlier in 2022 I applied to get breast augmentation with my insurance, and everything actually seemed to be going well. I had noticed something I hadn't felt in years; my depression was at an all-time low. Like seriously for the first time since I came out back in 2012 I felt like I was finally moving forward instead of standing still. I was getting things done. Organizing paperwork, eating better, (not PERFECT, but better), cleaning my room. YOU COULD SEE THE FLOOR. Things were starting to feel right,

...then my insurance company denied it.

I was crushed. My depression got worse every day since, all the way up to and including the moment I'm writing this, but decade markers have always been incredible motivators for me. I came out when I was 30. I told myself, "Well, I've got to do something, I don't want to live another 10 years in this bed, wondering what my life would have been like, had I just spoken up and admitted that I need outside help. Not to push away the people that care about me. That I can't do this alone, and that it's okay to ask.

A lot of trans-related surgeries are pricey. Usually 10 to 50k or more. I did my research and came to a decision on which surgery would be the most inexpensive, but ultimately have the greatest impact on my life and my overall happiness. The rest will follow. This isn't to "look sexy" or "look pretty", it's related to my gender dysphoria. It's a very real medical condition, and lemme tell ya', it's hellish. I could sit here and list a hundred peer-reviewed studies over the last few decades on how gender-affirming top surgeries save lives and lower suicide rates, but I don't want to do that. I want this to be personal. It's just me, telling you, that I've never been more confident about a decision, as well as the results. And that it would change my life. That's it. Boobs.

My goal will be 5k, but I'm hoping I can raise up to 8k to cover any hotel and hospital costs. Donate whatever amount you're comfortable with. If you don't have the cash, sharing the link helps too. Thank you for reading and helping me. I sincerely hate asking. My brain is still telling me to just figure it out and not bug you guys. With that said, it really means a lot. <3

-Steffeny