Help Charly get some weight off their chest?
Donation protected
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and read my Go Fund Me Campaign. It’s taken me a lot of time to allow myself to be vulnerable, and ask for the help that I really need.
A little summary
For those who don’t know me personally, heya!! I’m Charly! I’m a 33-year old, non-binary artist/tattooist from Melbourne. I’m trying (really, really hard!!!) to save up for top surgery to alleviate my physical back pain that my chest causes followed by 23-years of dysphoria. I’ve been living on disability pension since a pretty intense spinal surgery 6 years ago, which makes saving up for my surgery a task that sometimes feels impossible to do alone. BUT! I’ve finally worked up the courage to ask for help, and to start taking the steps towards minimising my pain and dysphoria. Yay!
For those that don’t know, Top Surgery is an operation where breast tissue is removed, and the chest is reconstructed to change its size and shape, and often to reflect a more ‘masculine’ appearance. For more information here is a link: https://transsurgeryaustralia.com.au/chest-reconstructive-surgery/
A longer summary!
When I was 23 years old, I found out that I had a prolapsed disc which was crushing multiple nerves in my lower back. This caused indescribable pain, and I had to rely on a wheelchair to get around for around 6 months.
At 27, I had spinal surgery in an attempt to address the pain and numbness I was experiencing in my lower body. While this surgery alleviated some of the pain, and restored a great deal of mobility and feeling, I still live with a huge amount of chronic pain. My pain is mostly unpredictable, but sitting or standing for long periods causes massive pain spikes, which really limits my capacity to work a ‘regular’ job. I am living off disability pension and this only just covers rent, and basic living expenses including medication.
A huge contributor to my back issues has been the size of my chest, and my discomfort regarding their appearance. The physical weight and size of my chest limits my mobility even further. My back really struggles to support my upper body, which significantly hinders rehabilitation and strengthening activities, and puts me at risk for further back problems.
Being non-binary, I have experienced dysphoria around my breasts since I was a young child. I started attempting to bind from just 10 years old, when my breasts started to develop. Now, binding is difficult for me because I already have immense back pain post-surgery, and because my chest is too large to bind safely and comfortably. This causes both physical and emotional pain and distress.
I have started researching my options regarding surgery, and initial consults have advised the cost to be anywhere between $10,000 - $15,000. This covers the cost of the surgeon, anesthetist and (depending on how the procedure goes), hospitals stays, and medications. This is an intimidating amount of money, but having top surgery would mean I can start working towards minimising and managing my pain, and relieve the dysphoria I experience every single day.
This surgery is something I never believed I would be able to achieve on my own, given my current circumstances. If you could help me out on this journey, I would be endlessly grateful!!! Absolutely no donation is too small - every single dollar is an amazing help. Even if you can’t personally donate, sharing this post would be a HUGE help!
A little summary
For those who don’t know me personally, heya!! I’m Charly! I’m a 33-year old, non-binary artist/tattooist from Melbourne. I’m trying (really, really hard!!!) to save up for top surgery to alleviate my physical back pain that my chest causes followed by 23-years of dysphoria. I’ve been living on disability pension since a pretty intense spinal surgery 6 years ago, which makes saving up for my surgery a task that sometimes feels impossible to do alone. BUT! I’ve finally worked up the courage to ask for help, and to start taking the steps towards minimising my pain and dysphoria. Yay!
For those that don’t know, Top Surgery is an operation where breast tissue is removed, and the chest is reconstructed to change its size and shape, and often to reflect a more ‘masculine’ appearance. For more information here is a link: https://transsurgeryaustralia.com.au/chest-reconstructive-surgery/
A longer summary!
When I was 23 years old, I found out that I had a prolapsed disc which was crushing multiple nerves in my lower back. This caused indescribable pain, and I had to rely on a wheelchair to get around for around 6 months.
At 27, I had spinal surgery in an attempt to address the pain and numbness I was experiencing in my lower body. While this surgery alleviated some of the pain, and restored a great deal of mobility and feeling, I still live with a huge amount of chronic pain. My pain is mostly unpredictable, but sitting or standing for long periods causes massive pain spikes, which really limits my capacity to work a ‘regular’ job. I am living off disability pension and this only just covers rent, and basic living expenses including medication.
A huge contributor to my back issues has been the size of my chest, and my discomfort regarding their appearance. The physical weight and size of my chest limits my mobility even further. My back really struggles to support my upper body, which significantly hinders rehabilitation and strengthening activities, and puts me at risk for further back problems.
Being non-binary, I have experienced dysphoria around my breasts since I was a young child. I started attempting to bind from just 10 years old, when my breasts started to develop. Now, binding is difficult for me because I already have immense back pain post-surgery, and because my chest is too large to bind safely and comfortably. This causes both physical and emotional pain and distress.
I have started researching my options regarding surgery, and initial consults have advised the cost to be anywhere between $10,000 - $15,000. This covers the cost of the surgeon, anesthetist and (depending on how the procedure goes), hospitals stays, and medications. This is an intimidating amount of money, but having top surgery would mean I can start working towards minimising and managing my pain, and relieve the dysphoria I experience every single day.
This surgery is something I never believed I would be able to achieve on my own, given my current circumstances. If you could help me out on this journey, I would be endlessly grateful!!! Absolutely no donation is too small - every single dollar is an amazing help. Even if you can’t personally donate, sharing this post would be a HUGE help!
Organizer
Charly Cauchi
Organizer
Brunswick VIC
