Getting This Off My Chest: Sage's Top Surgery Journey

My name is Sage Miller, and I'm a 24-year-old trans man on a journey towards a life free from chronic pain and fully aligned with my most authentic self. For years, my focus has been on caring for my family, which led me to put my own needs, including essential medical care like top surgery, on hold. My current minimum wage job offers very limited benefits for gender-affirming care, making it challenging to afford this life-changing procedure on my own.

Beyond being a crucial step in my gender affirmation, top surgery is medically necessary for my physical health. At just twenty-two, I was diagnosed with nerve damage in my left shoulder, a direct result of the significant physical strain from the weight of my chest tissue. This chronic pain makes simple daily tasks difficult and impacts my ability to fully engage in my passions, like creating art for my local community, taking care of my disabled parents, and my dogs.

I am reaching out to humbly ask for your support to raise $3000. These funds will go directly towards covering essential costs, including the scheduling fee for my surgery, a portion of the surgical expenses, and ongoing physical therapy to heal my shoulder. Your donation, no matter the size, will bring me one step closer to alleviating this physical pain, resolving the nerve damage, and finally living authentically in my body. By contributing and sharing my story, you are directly supporting my health, my ability to live my life, and my journey towards a future where I can thrive. Thank you for your kindness and support.