I just turned 18. And the truth is, I’ve never felt more like a stranger in my own skin… or more ready to finally do something about it.

I’ve always known something was different. Not in a way that was easy to name when I was younger — it was just this quiet, constant hum in the back of my mind. A feeling that who I was on the outside didn’t match who I was inside. Over time, that hum became a scream. And now, I can’t ignore it anymore.

I want gender-affirming care. I need it. Not because it’s trendy, not because of politics — but because I want to feel whole. I want to wake up and recognize the person in the mirror. I want to walk through the world without that weight of pretending. This isn’t about changing into someone new — it’s about becoming who I’ve always been.

But getting there hasn’t been easy. Especially not under the Trump administration — where it’s felt like everything about people like me has been up for debate. Like my existence is something to vote on, legislate, erase. Every time I watch the news or read a headline, it reminds me: the system doesn’t care about me. It never has. And the people in charge? They don't even want me to exist.

I’ve also been living with a conservative family my whole life. They’ve never really seen me — not the real me. I hear their words at dinner, the way they talk about “people like that,” and I know they’re talking about me, even if they don’t realize it. I’ve tried to explain. I’ve tried to be patient. But they don’t understand what it’s like to feel wrong in your own body. To feel like you’re just playing a part, day after day.

I’m tired of playing.

That’s why I’m raising money — because this isn’t just about surgery or hormones. It’s about reclaiming my life. It’s about finally being able to breathe. To feel comfortable in my own skin. To look in the mirror and not flinch. To leave behind the version of myself that was built to please everyone else. I’m done with the guilt. The shame. The fear.

I want to start over. I want to live as me.

So, if you’re reading this and you believe in second chances, in self-determination, in letting people be who they are — I’m asking for your help. Every dollar gets me closer to a future where I can finally exist without compromise. A future where I can finally be free.

This is more than a fundraiser. This is my first step toward finally living.

1. Top Surgery / Gender-Affirming Procedure – $8,000

This covers the full cost of the procedure including surgeon fees, anesthesia, and facility use.

2. Post-Op Recovery Supplies & Medication – $850

Includes prescriptions, bandages, compression garments, scar treatments, and necessary supplies during healing.

3. Therapy & Mental Health Support – $600

Gender-affirming therapy sessions before and after surgery to support emotional wellbeing and healing.

4. Travel & Lodging – $700

Covers travel to the surgery center (if not local), lodging for a few days during recovery, and transportation.