Help Trans Asylum Seeker Pay for Surgery
Donation protected
My name is Aru Poleo Vargas. I'm a transgender woman and an Asylum Seeker from Venezuela currently living in Maine fundraising to support my medical transition. I came to the U.S during COVID and because of the way the asylum process works in this country I haven't been able to get a work permit and start working. However, I simply cannot wait any longer to get the surgery I need for my mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
Cost Breakdown:
Surgeon: $18,190.00
Hospital Fees: $5,100.00
Anesthesia: $1,100.00
After-care: $1,498.00
Total Before GoFundMe Fees: $25,888.00
GoFundMe Fees: 2.90%
Total: $25,963.08
Being away from home in a completely different country, going through the immensely intimidating and scary process that is pending Asylum in the U.S, and trying to get an education has made the last couple years of my life hard on their own, but trying to do all this while constantly fighting my own body has proven to be almost impossible, and it keeps getting harder and harder.
For as long as I can remember, bottom dysphoria has made living my every day difficult. My genitalia makes me feel like my body does not belong to me, it makes me avoid care when I need it because of shame and disgust, it has made it nearly impossible to have any kind of sexual life, and it has made my every day mental health deteriorate more and more every single day. I have been severely debilitated because of my dysphoria.
About the procedure: The surgery itself will be conducted by Dr. Christine McGinn in the form of a Vaginoplasty, information about this, and her other procedures can be found here: https://www.drchristinemcginn.com/services/srs/
Bottom dysphoria has been largely responsible for my depression and anxiety, two struggles I still fight with every day. Two struggles that over the last 4 years have had me switching from one medication to the other, multiple SSRIs, antipsychotics, and Benzodiazepines. Going from one therapist to the other in search for someone that would take the pain away. I have finally accepted that the only way I will be able to get better is by getting the gender affirming care I need, and for me that has meant hormones, voice therapy, and now it means getting this surgery.
Anything you can give would help me finally be able to live my life like everyone else, in peace with the body I live with every single day.
Thank you so much!
-Aru
Cost Breakdown:
Surgeon: $18,190.00
Hospital Fees: $5,100.00
Anesthesia: $1,100.00
After-care: $1,498.00
Total Before GoFundMe Fees: $25,888.00
GoFundMe Fees: 2.90%
Total: $25,963.08
Being away from home in a completely different country, going through the immensely intimidating and scary process that is pending Asylum in the U.S, and trying to get an education has made the last couple years of my life hard on their own, but trying to do all this while constantly fighting my own body has proven to be almost impossible, and it keeps getting harder and harder.
For as long as I can remember, bottom dysphoria has made living my every day difficult. My genitalia makes me feel like my body does not belong to me, it makes me avoid care when I need it because of shame and disgust, it has made it nearly impossible to have any kind of sexual life, and it has made my every day mental health deteriorate more and more every single day. I have been severely debilitated because of my dysphoria.
About the procedure: The surgery itself will be conducted by Dr. Christine McGinn in the form of a Vaginoplasty, information about this, and her other procedures can be found here: https://www.drchristinemcginn.com/services/srs/
Bottom dysphoria has been largely responsible for my depression and anxiety, two struggles I still fight with every day. Two struggles that over the last 4 years have had me switching from one medication to the other, multiple SSRIs, antipsychotics, and Benzodiazepines. Going from one therapist to the other in search for someone that would take the pain away. I have finally accepted that the only way I will be able to get better is by getting the gender affirming care I need, and for me that has meant hormones, voice therapy, and now it means getting this surgery.
Anything you can give would help me finally be able to live my life like everyone else, in peace with the body I live with every single day.
Thank you so much!
-Aru
Organizer
Aru Poleo Vargas
Organizer
Lewiston, ME