Jamie's Voice Feminization Surgery
Donation protected
Let me first of all clarify that I am asking for these funds *as a loan and only as a loan*. I am fully willing and able to pay all donors back up to the goal amount within a few months as I will be receiving a big influx of income around the end of January 2017. If you have concerns about my ability to do so, I urge you to contact me either through Facebook or here through GoFundMe, and we can go over documents, account statements, etc. I would also be happy to sign an agreement with you if you would like. Please don’t hesitate to ask whatever you need of me to feel comfortable issuing me this credit.
I want to say secondly that I know this is a long shot. A really long shot. I need to raise a significant amount of funds, and I realize that even on a loaner basis, it is likely much too big an ask of my circle. I hope you’ll forgive me trying, though; my family is not exactly fully supportive of my transition, so there is really no hope of receiving a loan from them. This is essentially the only option I have. Words could not express how grateful I would be if you all helped me to reach this goal.
So, to the goal: You probably know me already if you’re reading this, but just in case, I am a 26 y.o. transfeminine computer science student, and I’m seeking funds for voice feminization surgery. I work labor jobs full-time during the summer, and I’m currently working two jobs part time while attending school. I’ve been working to save up for this procedure, and, at around $5400 now (including my available credit), I have got over half of what I need, but I’m still around $4000 short. My plan had been to wait a while longer and continue saving up, but the recent election has put a little fear in me, and it’s become a priority for me to get the surgery as soon as possible. Ideally, I would do it over my winter break, as a vocal rest period (of 1-4 weeks) is necessary after the procedure during which I will not be able to speak at all; as I won’t have school or work during that time, and as I’ve been told the surgeon will have openings (many) beginning in January, that is the time period I’m aiming for.
I am making a priority out of voice surgery, because I feel it is the greatest barrier to my passing. Passing is important to me and more-so now than it had been due to increased concern about my safety given the current post-election climate. I have been lucky enough to have received a number of free voice training lessons, but am still far short of where I need to be to comfortably pass. Beyond making me safer, fixing my voice will help me to feel like ME. Leaving behind the daily discomfort of hearing myself speak in a voice that feels wrong to me and of worrying about the way my gender is received by others will put me at such a tremendous ease. It would make an incredible difference in my everyday quality of life.
While surgery outcomes for most techniques across the world have tended to be poor, I am seeking surgery at the Yeson Center in South Korea, which is renowned within the trans community for a unique, safe, and effective process that generally produces great, natural-sounding results.
What the $4000 covers:
- the remaining cost of the surgery (total cost is $7,380)
- 11 nights at a cheap 3-star hotel in Korea (~$70/night)
- close to the cheapest flight I could find as of Nov. 14 (cheapest wasn’t that much less and was like 47 hours vs. 16 O_O, so forgive me pls) + a couple hundred dollar buffer in case flight prices change between now and the close of this campaign
- ~$100 for increased higher cost of food, other minor unforeseen costs
If the campaign is fully funded but flights become too expensive or all available winter spots at Yeson fill up before it ends, backup plan will be to seek surgery over spring break (late March I believe). If this occurs or if I am not fully funded, I will in either case still repay all donors come late January/early February.
In the event of a miracle, if I am funded above the $4000 goal, the extra funds will go into a savings account for further transition costs (facial feminization and some electrolysis being next priority). note: I can’t guarantee repayment—certainly not timely repayment—of funds received from donors above the goal amount.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do contact me. My heart is full of love for all of you who cared enough to even read this—thank you so much <3
I want to say secondly that I know this is a long shot. A really long shot. I need to raise a significant amount of funds, and I realize that even on a loaner basis, it is likely much too big an ask of my circle. I hope you’ll forgive me trying, though; my family is not exactly fully supportive of my transition, so there is really no hope of receiving a loan from them. This is essentially the only option I have. Words could not express how grateful I would be if you all helped me to reach this goal.
So, to the goal: You probably know me already if you’re reading this, but just in case, I am a 26 y.o. transfeminine computer science student, and I’m seeking funds for voice feminization surgery. I work labor jobs full-time during the summer, and I’m currently working two jobs part time while attending school. I’ve been working to save up for this procedure, and, at around $5400 now (including my available credit), I have got over half of what I need, but I’m still around $4000 short. My plan had been to wait a while longer and continue saving up, but the recent election has put a little fear in me, and it’s become a priority for me to get the surgery as soon as possible. Ideally, I would do it over my winter break, as a vocal rest period (of 1-4 weeks) is necessary after the procedure during which I will not be able to speak at all; as I won’t have school or work during that time, and as I’ve been told the surgeon will have openings (many) beginning in January, that is the time period I’m aiming for.
I am making a priority out of voice surgery, because I feel it is the greatest barrier to my passing. Passing is important to me and more-so now than it had been due to increased concern about my safety given the current post-election climate. I have been lucky enough to have received a number of free voice training lessons, but am still far short of where I need to be to comfortably pass. Beyond making me safer, fixing my voice will help me to feel like ME. Leaving behind the daily discomfort of hearing myself speak in a voice that feels wrong to me and of worrying about the way my gender is received by others will put me at such a tremendous ease. It would make an incredible difference in my everyday quality of life.
While surgery outcomes for most techniques across the world have tended to be poor, I am seeking surgery at the Yeson Center in South Korea, which is renowned within the trans community for a unique, safe, and effective process that generally produces great, natural-sounding results.
What the $4000 covers:
- the remaining cost of the surgery (total cost is $7,380)
- 11 nights at a cheap 3-star hotel in Korea (~$70/night)
- close to the cheapest flight I could find as of Nov. 14 (cheapest wasn’t that much less and was like 47 hours vs. 16 O_O, so forgive me pls) + a couple hundred dollar buffer in case flight prices change between now and the close of this campaign
- ~$100 for increased higher cost of food, other minor unforeseen costs
If the campaign is fully funded but flights become too expensive or all available winter spots at Yeson fill up before it ends, backup plan will be to seek surgery over spring break (late March I believe). If this occurs or if I am not fully funded, I will in either case still repay all donors come late January/early February.
In the event of a miracle, if I am funded above the $4000 goal, the extra funds will go into a savings account for further transition costs (facial feminization and some electrolysis being next priority). note: I can’t guarantee repayment—certainly not timely repayment—of funds received from donors above the goal amount.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do contact me. My heart is full of love for all of you who cared enough to even read this—thank you so much <3
Organizer
Jamie Turner
Organizer
Portland, OR