My name is Stephanie Dykes, and I live in Seattle, Washington. I am a transgender woman, and I have lived full - time as my authentic self since May 2008.
I am now at a point in my life where I want to have the kind of surgery that will remove the final barrier to me becoming the kind of woman I want to be: a woman with a vagina. I am scheduled for the first stage of my gender confirmation surgery (vaginoplasty) on July 13, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. I will have a follow - up procedure in December 2021 called labiaplasty.
As I approach my 63rd birthday, it has been a long and arduous road to get to this point of living my truth as a transgender woman. Like many of my transgender siblings, I have lost a lot to live my truth.
In this appeal, I'm asking for assistance with the the costs of these surgeries that my medical insurance provider will not pay for. As I write this, my insurance company is seeking to cut by more than half the number of hospital days that my surgeon has recommended (from nine days to five days). There will also be deductibles to be met and copays to pay.
Additionally, my medical insurance company has not paid for any of the electrolysis in my perineum (about 24 sessions at $250 per session) in preparation for these surgeries. I also have had to pay for all of my post - surgical supplies out of pocket, i.e. feminine hygiene pads, doggie pee pads, and water - based lubricants. My insurance company will also not reimburse me for the cost of traveling from Seattle to Portland.
I'm looking forward to these surgeries because they will finally give me a body that is as close to that of someone born female as is currently possible by modern medicine.
No contribution is too small, and I very much appreciate your support.
Warmest regards,
Stephanie