
Support Cyn's Vision to Care for Queer & Trans TBI Survivors
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The ask: Please support me in raising the funds to pursue massage therapy school this January, and future pursuits to bring my vision to care for trans + queer folx navigating the complex and challenging journey of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) to fruition.
The story: My name is Cyn and I use they/them pronouns. I am a trans genderfluid, queer human. I am a brilliant and divine being, as we all are, but moving through a world filled with messages that tell me otherwise, messages that tell me and others like me, we do not exist or we do not deserve to exist, that we are wrong, unwell or evil. These messages are getting louder and scarier these days from those in power. I continue to find refuge and solace in my connection to community and fellow humans willing to witness my story and uplift my vision. Thank you for being among those fellow humans and taking the time to open in care and curiosity to my journey.
While all life paths are riddled with challenges, I certainly did not expect my entire 20s to be marked with cycles of accidents. Over the last decade, I have been hit by a car four times, each resulting in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and whiplash, each one compounding on the last. Post concussive syndrome, brain fog, sound and light sensitivity, fatigue, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, daily headaches and deep grief in reckoning with who I am now with this brain and this body, proved to be powerful and painful pathways to deep self discovery and to what I believe to be a significant part of my life purpose. Listen to my story of accidents, TBI and self discovery:
Within these cycles of accidents and healing, there have been three things that, once combined and consistently practiced, offered profound shifts in my healing, resilience and integration. The first: Mindfulness and Embodiment Practice. Yoga philosophy connecting me with my breath and body in a new way, opening my spirit to the wisdom of impermanence, the power of acceptance and the truth of interconnectedness. Qigong helping me find movement with a softer strength, infused with introspection and emotional alchemization. And meditation supporting me to gain skills to be in observation of the mind’s stories, judgments and patterns that can especially become dark and rigid following TBI.
The second: Affinity Support Groups. Being in community with others who will not try to dismiss, deny, challenge or correct the wildly isolating and confusing experience of concussion and brain injury is quite possibly the most impactful medicine. To be seen and supported without trying to be solved by a doctor or needing to explain to a loved one, allows the heart to soften and the nervous system to find a sense of ease. LoveYourBrain, an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of people affected by brain injury, provided me this medicine two fold through the LGBTQIA+ affinity group Mindset Program, a six week mindfulness practice and discussion group. Not only did I not have to explain brain injury, I could be free in my queerness and transness that I was newly wrestling into and learning to accept and celebrate. I had no idea how guarded I was to the world and those around me, even those I loved, until I was in a community that effortlessly affirmed, witnessed and understood both my TBI journey and queer identities. No questions asked; my story, my experience fully trusted and believed.
The third: Massage and Bodywork. I feel so much gratitude for all the doctors, neurologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists that contributed and continue to contribute to my ability to be where I am today. However, for me it was truly the healers: the massage therapists, acupuncturists and energy workers that held the type of space that opened pathways of authentic, sustainable, integrative healing in my system. Healing touch offered in various modalities provided more than physical relief from symptoms, but supported mental and emotional blocks to be lifted and trauma from the accidents to be felt and finally released. Beyond the physical, mental and emotional trauma of the accidents being tended to, it was in the hands of healers and bodyworkers that I unwound deep shame and self stifling beliefs, allowing me to expand into my truth as queer and trans. The cracking open of oneself is a terrifying experience and yet with trusted bodyworkers, I have been able to embrace deeper alignment, and am now stepping forth in the knowing and confidence of who I am.
Without the care, skill and talents of massage therapists and bodyworkers, compassionate facilitators of support groups and embodiment instructors, I am certain I would still be in a place of darkness, isolation and disconnect from self and others. I have now taught yoga for over a year, guiding others to connect with mind, body, breath, spirit and community. And I facilitate TBI support groups with LoveYourBrain, helping to hold space for others to experience the power of witnessing and being witnessed, while gaining mindfulness tools to help navigate TBI symptoms and stressors. And now, I am seeking to pursue the education and skills needed to provide high quality, science informed and intuitively guided massage therapy.
I know firsthand how essential safe and inclusive healing spaces are. Both transgender youth and adults are more than 4x more likely to attempt suicide than their cisgender peers. Over the last five years amidst the increase in anti-transgender laws in the US, suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth have increased up to 72%. And those who suffer TBI are at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the board. In some of my darkest stretches, where depression and isolation felt impossible to move from, I was beyond blessed to have trusted healers hold space for me and tend to my body and spirit’s pain. And, with a lot of searching, I was able to find teachers and support groups that help me integrate lessons so I can tend to my entire self without always feeling like I need a healer or guide by my side.
I have a vision of building a practice that brings these three integral components into one place. A healing program where queer and trans folks with TBIs do not have to seek endlessly over many years for care and community that believes in their existence and experiences. A space where they can find mindfulness practice, support groups and healing touch. A place that believes they not only deserve to exist, but are worthy of endless love, deep healing and the freedom to thrive.
My capacity to work full time over the last ten years has been regularly disrupted due to the accidents, leaving me living paycheck to paycheck. I have been working hard to raise the funds to pursue this calling, applying for scholarships, collaborating with family friends on fundraisers and providing special offerings to my community. I am still seeking to raise $11,111.11 to cover the cost of massage therapy eduction and additional funds for future education and training. Your contribution will allow me to begin this pursuit without undue financial burden and debt, providing spaciousness for this now more than ever needed vision to take shape and come to fruition.
Thank you once again for your care and curiosity. If supporting me financially is in flow, thank you. If sharing my story and needs with your friends and networks feels aligned, thank you. If witnessing my journey and blessing my next steps is right, thank you. ✨
Organizer

cyn hovey
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN