Help Transgender Man Sebastian w. Housing & Health
Donation protected
1. What hurdles have I faced, and how have they changed me as a person?
Hi, my name is Sebastian. I am a displaced, 1st generation immigrant, female to male transgender person, who’s in dire need of long-term safety. I nearly died twice due to an intestinal prolapse from attaining a laparoscopic hysterectomy 2 years ago. This surgery was meant to be a passing stone in my transition, however it created unforeseeable setbacks including severe complications that I still face today. Covid-19 has created unimaginable challenges on top of my body and mind that is already trying to cope and heal.
2. How have I attempted to overcome the challenges presented to me?
Since returning to NYC from California (where I resided the last few years), I spent the last 2 years looking for stable housing, attaining food from pantries, and applying to NYS government resources, while learning how to not pee on myself due to urine insensitivity (not feeling when I have to pee), attending physical therapy and still learning how to walk without pain again, because the internal organs in my pelvis and the muscles in my stomach need time to heal and regain sensitivity. My surgery complications also affected my back muscles and feet. Since my feet are flat, in order for me to walk or stand, I had to overuse muscles that don’t hurt. This has furthered my neck, back, abdomen, and foot complications. Almost daily, I feel strikes of chronic pain in my chest, abdomen and back. Not having stable living arrangements, most of this time has hindered my ability to heal completely.
3. The turning point - What events led me to take action and start crowdfunding?
Instead of asking for help, I self-published a memoir, titled, Kisses For A Hummingbird , detailing the physical and emotional trauma in my life, that I am currently trying as hard as I can to overcome. I also started two businesses, including BelizeanVeganJuices & Covid19MasksNYC to help provide fresh fruit juices, vegan meals, and face masks to people in NYC and abroad. My Great Aunt passing away due to the Corona Virus a week ago (April 2020), and my 1st cousin being diagnosed with it, reminded me that whenever I’m in pain, I try to do something good with that pain. However, it hasn’t protected me from gang members in my East New York/Brownsville neighborhood violently placing their hands on me because I look different, methadone heads stealing my phone off my waist, and again no bed or stable housing. Right before Covid began, I became a Substitute teacher to Special Education and K-8 students in NYC, and started school for a degree in computer networking and security. Now with no job, and minimal access to a safe consistent environment, I am struggling with school (now online, which I wasn’t prepared for, due to Covid-19). I can’t wallow in the negativity that life sometimes brings our way, I can only see positivity in people/situations and I will continue to unwaveringly use my light, affirmingly in a way that provides love and resources to all.
4. What will the funds be used for?
With indigenous roots in Belize and Honduras, Central America, practicing a life of peace, love, physical health and spiritual wellness has always been a natural catalyst for my 15 years in advocacy work in the LGBTIQA+, people of color, and marginalized communities across the country. All of your help will go to me attaining safe, stable housing in a safe environment, as I attain necessary medical resources such as physical therapy, mental therapy, and pursue my dreams of being a computer scientist, activist, artist (creative consultant, model, actor), entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
But first I need to be safe, in order to live another day, in intentional and genuine pursuit of a better future, for not only me, a 1st generation immigrant and black/afro latino transgender person who has been historically, systemically, and economically disadvantaged, in conjunction with Covid-19 cancellations of speaking engagements, training sessions, and acting opportunities, but for all of the people that I want to help in the world. I passionately desire to and I am in the process of, helping to create the future that I want to see, but again I genuinely need your help. Help me to not hang on to existence, but thrive with the gifts that I have, and help change the world to a better place through my small intentional actions.
The funds that you donate well help me:
A. Housing
Attain Safe and Stable Housing in a safe neighborhood for a few months, as I go to physical therapy, mental therapy, finish my degree online and find long term work from home. A bed, I would be so grateful for a bed. Plants. And windows. In a safe neighborhood. That’s all I ask.
B. Physical Health
Attaining Physical Therapy from a licensed LGBTQIA+ friendly practitioner, consistently, and with travel to and from, during Covid-19. The purchasing of gloves and other sanitary products. The purchasing of heating pads for my chronic pain, and customized insoles ($400 a pair) to help fix my feet, back and consequently my neck.
C. Mental Health
Attaining Medicines, Foods, Personal/Public Environments, and Professionals/Communities that value my mental health / emotional well-being / intelligence and fosters emotional healing. Expenses to go to and from mental therapy during Covid-19.
D. Food
Attaining Consistent, Fruit and Vegetables foods only, as my hysterectomy complications / intestinal prolapse makes it extremely difficult for me, if not life threatening, to eat salty, fibrous, wheat or gluten foods. These foods swell my stomach up into a hard bowling ball in as little as 24 hours, making it extremely hard to breath, bend, speak, use the restroom, or think clearly. If I continue eating said foods, within 72 hours I typically have to go to the hospital for help.
E. Business
@Covid19MasksNYC - Help Attaining Specific Fabrics, filters, and materials to make masks. A percentage of masks is donated to economically impoverished people in NYC and Belize, Central America.
@BelizeanVeganJuices - Help Attaining Fruit, herbal teas, containers, and website to transition my vegan juice and eats business to a national platform.
I know that I can get through this with your help. Even if it’s small. It matters. You matter.
Thank you for existing, reading my story, and supporting/sharing my fundraiser.
I appreciate you. Stay Safe & Stay Great.
With immense gratitude,
Sebastian
______________
**Upon Request: I can provide medical documentation confirming all that I’ve mentioned above from my Urologist-Gynecologist, Psychiatrist, Physical Therapist, and my general Doctor for the last 2 years.**
**I’ve applied for gov’t assistance. I call a few times a week for an update on unemployment and food benefits with no avail.
**Learn more about me: Click Here **
**If you would like to donate directly to me, without delay, please use Venmo: BkFtm or CashApp: BkFtm
I Appreciate You More Than Words Can Express!
Hi, my name is Sebastian. I am a displaced, 1st generation immigrant, female to male transgender person, who’s in dire need of long-term safety. I nearly died twice due to an intestinal prolapse from attaining a laparoscopic hysterectomy 2 years ago. This surgery was meant to be a passing stone in my transition, however it created unforeseeable setbacks including severe complications that I still face today. Covid-19 has created unimaginable challenges on top of my body and mind that is already trying to cope and heal.
2. How have I attempted to overcome the challenges presented to me?
Since returning to NYC from California (where I resided the last few years), I spent the last 2 years looking for stable housing, attaining food from pantries, and applying to NYS government resources, while learning how to not pee on myself due to urine insensitivity (not feeling when I have to pee), attending physical therapy and still learning how to walk without pain again, because the internal organs in my pelvis and the muscles in my stomach need time to heal and regain sensitivity. My surgery complications also affected my back muscles and feet. Since my feet are flat, in order for me to walk or stand, I had to overuse muscles that don’t hurt. This has furthered my neck, back, abdomen, and foot complications. Almost daily, I feel strikes of chronic pain in my chest, abdomen and back. Not having stable living arrangements, most of this time has hindered my ability to heal completely.
3. The turning point - What events led me to take action and start crowdfunding?
Instead of asking for help, I self-published a memoir, titled, Kisses For A Hummingbird , detailing the physical and emotional trauma in my life, that I am currently trying as hard as I can to overcome. I also started two businesses, including BelizeanVeganJuices & Covid19MasksNYC to help provide fresh fruit juices, vegan meals, and face masks to people in NYC and abroad. My Great Aunt passing away due to the Corona Virus a week ago (April 2020), and my 1st cousin being diagnosed with it, reminded me that whenever I’m in pain, I try to do something good with that pain. However, it hasn’t protected me from gang members in my East New York/Brownsville neighborhood violently placing their hands on me because I look different, methadone heads stealing my phone off my waist, and again no bed or stable housing. Right before Covid began, I became a Substitute teacher to Special Education and K-8 students in NYC, and started school for a degree in computer networking and security. Now with no job, and minimal access to a safe consistent environment, I am struggling with school (now online, which I wasn’t prepared for, due to Covid-19). I can’t wallow in the negativity that life sometimes brings our way, I can only see positivity in people/situations and I will continue to unwaveringly use my light, affirmingly in a way that provides love and resources to all.
4. What will the funds be used for?
With indigenous roots in Belize and Honduras, Central America, practicing a life of peace, love, physical health and spiritual wellness has always been a natural catalyst for my 15 years in advocacy work in the LGBTIQA+, people of color, and marginalized communities across the country. All of your help will go to me attaining safe, stable housing in a safe environment, as I attain necessary medical resources such as physical therapy, mental therapy, and pursue my dreams of being a computer scientist, activist, artist (creative consultant, model, actor), entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
But first I need to be safe, in order to live another day, in intentional and genuine pursuit of a better future, for not only me, a 1st generation immigrant and black/afro latino transgender person who has been historically, systemically, and economically disadvantaged, in conjunction with Covid-19 cancellations of speaking engagements, training sessions, and acting opportunities, but for all of the people that I want to help in the world. I passionately desire to and I am in the process of, helping to create the future that I want to see, but again I genuinely need your help. Help me to not hang on to existence, but thrive with the gifts that I have, and help change the world to a better place through my small intentional actions.
The funds that you donate well help me:
A. Housing
Attain Safe and Stable Housing in a safe neighborhood for a few months, as I go to physical therapy, mental therapy, finish my degree online and find long term work from home. A bed, I would be so grateful for a bed. Plants. And windows. In a safe neighborhood. That’s all I ask.
B. Physical Health
Attaining Physical Therapy from a licensed LGBTQIA+ friendly practitioner, consistently, and with travel to and from, during Covid-19. The purchasing of gloves and other sanitary products. The purchasing of heating pads for my chronic pain, and customized insoles ($400 a pair) to help fix my feet, back and consequently my neck.
C. Mental Health
Attaining Medicines, Foods, Personal/Public Environments, and Professionals/Communities that value my mental health / emotional well-being / intelligence and fosters emotional healing. Expenses to go to and from mental therapy during Covid-19.
D. Food
Attaining Consistent, Fruit and Vegetables foods only, as my hysterectomy complications / intestinal prolapse makes it extremely difficult for me, if not life threatening, to eat salty, fibrous, wheat or gluten foods. These foods swell my stomach up into a hard bowling ball in as little as 24 hours, making it extremely hard to breath, bend, speak, use the restroom, or think clearly. If I continue eating said foods, within 72 hours I typically have to go to the hospital for help.
E. Business
@Covid19MasksNYC - Help Attaining Specific Fabrics, filters, and materials to make masks. A percentage of masks is donated to economically impoverished people in NYC and Belize, Central America.
@BelizeanVeganJuices - Help Attaining Fruit, herbal teas, containers, and website to transition my vegan juice and eats business to a national platform.
I know that I can get through this with your help. Even if it’s small. It matters. You matter.
Thank you for existing, reading my story, and supporting/sharing my fundraiser.
I appreciate you. Stay Safe & Stay Great.
With immense gratitude,
Sebastian
______________
**Upon Request: I can provide medical documentation confirming all that I’ve mentioned above from my Urologist-Gynecologist, Psychiatrist, Physical Therapist, and my general Doctor for the last 2 years.**
**I’ve applied for gov’t assistance. I call a few times a week for an update on unemployment and food benefits with no avail.
**Learn more about me: Click Here **
**If you would like to donate directly to me, without delay, please use Venmo: BkFtm or CashApp: BkFtm
I Appreciate You More Than Words Can Express!
Organizer
Sebastian Flowers
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
