Help Me Come Home to Myself

Hi, I’m Ari (they/them). I’m a 35-year-old nonbinary person, and I am getting top surgery on October 28th! I can’t wait! I’ve been struggling with gender dysphoria for the last 10 years. For a long time, it felt like stumbling around in the dark, but in the past few years, I’ve been living in the light, claiming my authentic self. It feels really good to be here now.

I used to have a very large chest and I’d wear binders to minimize it. In 2022, I got a breast reduction, hoping it would help me feel more like myself — but when they took off the bandages, I was crushed to see I still had a chest I didn’t want. This heightened my dysphoria.

To me, top surgery is the final step toward honoring the Ari I see inside me. I want to live comfortably in my skin and love the body I was given in this lifetime. I’m tired of feeling like my body is at odds with who I am. Why wouldn’t I do something that I know will allow me to exist in a state of joy? This surgery isn’t just a physical change — it’s a homecoming.

While my insurance covers a small portion of the surgery, I’m still responsible for the majority of the costs, plus recovery supplies and lost income. The estimated total for funds needed comes to about $9,500.

This feels raw and real — asking for help — but it truly takes a village. Whether we’ve shared a home, a walk, or a moment that mattered — if you’re reading this, you’re part of my community. And right now, I’m asking you to stand with me. Share this page, give what you can, send your love — every action matters. Together, we can make this happen.

Big thanks and so much love!

-Ari