Cameron's Gender Affirming Fund (FFS)

Hi Hello!

My name is Cam, and I am transgender. After four years of transition and many more spent stuck in the closet, I finally have the opportunity of my life to have the one gender affirming surgery that’s been on my mind the most all these years. In fact, thanks to consulting with the surgeon who will be performing it at just the right time, my surgery is coming up in just under a week. Unfortunately, ongoing health problems over the last few months have forced me to leave my job, and most of the savings I have had set aside for this procedure have gone towards the last few months of medical tests and doctors visits, with more to come and no official diagnosis to inform ways to cope or treat the symptoms I’ve been experiencing. A physically demanding job like the one I had been in is just not something I can do right now, when I’m frequently having debilitating stomach cramping and muscular pain on seemingly random days, and finding a position I’m qualified for that will be lenient when I’m dealing with these symptoms has been difficult. In addition, work is off the table for at least the next few weeks while I’m recovering from surgery. I have these issues to deal with, while at the same time struggling with I’m struggling at perhaps the most inopportune time in my life, and if I’m going to come out the other side of this unscathed I’ve realized I have to ask for help.

One of the solutions that trans people can go through for the dysphoria is a procedure, which is most often actually a series of procedures, called Facial Harmonization Surgery, or Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) for trans women specifically. The goal of this procedure is to more closely align the body with what the mind wants to see. Previously these had been considered elective plastic surgery procedures, but thankfully in many states health care companies are realizing just how life changing the peace of mind that comes from addressing the physical aspects of dysphoria, in addition to the safety that comes with being less visibly trans to passerby who may not be the most accepting people, and have begun to consider them medically necessary for trans people. And for good reason, FFS saves lives.

What gender affirmation for trans people means in practice varies from person to person. Dysphoria (the feeling of disconnect between your body and your gender identity) affects everyone differently. For some, it comes down to just changing pronouns and clothing, for others that process becomes more involved, with anything from hormone treatment to different types of surgeries. Most of my dysphoria surrounds my face. I think I look fine enough on many days, but what gets to me is seeing all the little things that an entire male puberty changed in it. It’s like looking in the mirror and seeing a face that’s not quite right, the features just a little distorted from what they should be. Because of that, I really struggle having connections with people, especially strangers, face to face. I never know what the person I’m talking with sees, if they notice those features I hate so much, if they see the old me more than the new. I struggle leaving the house without analyzing every feature, making sure nothing about my face is standing out too much. On some days it gets to the point where I can’t socialize with friends because of how that gender anxiety manifests. My dysphoria around my face has taken over a large part of my life. I’m tired of it, it’s hurt and hindered me for too long, and surgery will help.

While facial feminization is now covered under insurance in Washington state, I still need to meet my plan’s out of pocket costs. Because my surgeon works in two phases, the second half of my surgery will be in the new year, and will be with a new deductible. Because of this, my ongoing health problems, and having to make rent and afford food without a current job, I don’t really know how much financial strain I will be under, but I know that as it is, I will be struggling to keep my head afloat in the very near future. I’m setting a goal in the ballpark of what Im expecting to have to owe in the long run, but by no means to I expect to make it there, any amount of support helps. I’m just trying to continue surviving through this rough patch I’m in. If you have the means and want to help me out, it would mean the world to me. If you’ve gotten this far, and don’t have the means, if you could share this fundraiser that would also be lovely. At the very least thank you for your support, I would never have gotten to this point in my life at all had it not been for the amazing community that has been there for me through the years. I’m so excited for what the future holds, I just need some help to help me get there healthy and happy.