Support Bug In Their Trans-Non-Binary Affirming Care!

Hi, it’s Bug!

Thanks for taking the time to read and support me in my access to trans-affirming care. A little bit about me, I’m a Senior at Appalachian State obtaining my BFA in Studio Art with a clay concentration. My artwork has been a transformative aspect of feeling comfortable in claiming my trans-non-binary identity and am happy to announce my plans for top surgery! To answer some basic questions for those who do not know me personally, I have experienced gender dysphoria since puberty, this has impacted my mental health negatively for the past 14 years or so. I have always felt that I fit outside of the binary and publicly came out in 2022. I have been living with this identity since early adolescence and am overjoyed to be taking the next steps in embracing my authenticity. Support your femme non-binary!!!

This surgery is life-changing AND life-saving!!!! When is it going to happen you may ask? My consultation is in mid-July 2024, I will decide on a surgeon soon after and have the surgery date posted here by then. Ideally, it will happen before 2025. Luckily, I am insured and the cost is reduced tremendously, this however is still out of my budget as a full-time student and employee who is financially independent. My insurance does not cover the operating room bill, surgeon bill, anesthesia bill, travel expenses, aftercare, medication, pathogen breast tissue bill, consult fees, and other hidden fees (which are always there). Unfortunately, I am not given an exact cost until I am billed. With my uncovered expenses, an estimate of my out of pocket is roughly 4000 plus my 1150 out-of-pocket cost for the surgery itself with insurance applied. I have been saving for this procedure for over a year now and am fundraising for 3500 as I will also have to take time off of work and school to recover on top of the uncovered expenses.

I have been slowly adding to my funds by selling my art, saving parts of my paychecks and participating in vending opportunities but am a college student with many bills to pay each month! I ask that you donate whatever you can spare or share this link! No donation is too little in making this a reality. I will update this page as needed! If you have any questions please reach out to me via Instagram at waterbug.art, thank you to everyone who has supported me in this journey! <3