my name is Bear. I am turning 24 in March and I have been thinking a lot about my future recently. After years of struggling with mental health issues and physical health issues I finally have a good outlook on days to come. I have been to therapy for many years managing my depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, autism and adhd. I have struggled deeply my whole life feeling like ‚the other’ and being pushed out of spaces often because of my struggle communicating with people. Navigating myself has been a difficult task but I managed to get my diagnosis last year for autism, adhd, gender dysphoria and cyclical vomiting syndrome. This has opened my eyes and helped me understand myself better. I feel much more understood but unfortunately there’s still a lot to untangle.

I have limited capacity to work and cannot easily make my own money. I hate to ask others for support but I come from a background of Polish immigrants and have been living in the UK since I was 6 years old. I have fully severed ties with extended family and have no one to lean on for financial support. Top surgery is a massive cost and I admit not one I would be able to handle on my own on disability benefit.

I have been struggling with gender identity and started hrt a year ago. As of the 12th of February I have been on testosterone for a year and I’m feeling much more confident in my skin. I am so much happier expressing myself but I’m still struggling a lot with my body dysphoria. I hope to raise some money to be able to go and get the surgery that would make living in my skin easier. Any support is very appreciated.

thank you for taking time to read my story :)