Jolene's gender affirming journey

Dear friends,

As I approach my 46th birthday, I find myself in the best place spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, that I’ve ever been. Through a lot of hard work and personal growth, I’ve healed from past traumas and feel more at peace with who I am. The next step in my journey is to become the best version of myself physically—and for me, I have made the decision of undergoing top surgery.

Many of you know that I’ve spent a significant part of my life battling addiction. Today, I celebrate 9.5 years of recovery, and getting my life back on track has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. But despite all the progress I’ve made, there’s still something missing: the body I’ve always seen in my mind’s eye. The body that feels like me.

Through my recovery, I’ve learned an important lesson: the help I give to others is something I’m also allowed to ask for. And that’s where I need your support.

I’ve been openly living as my true self since I was 19, though it hasn’t always been easy. My journey coincided with the struggles of addiction, and for many years, I didn’t feel like I belonged anywhere. But moving to Canberra just over a decade ago was a turning point. It was there that I began to discover my worth, reconnect with my passion for art, and create a new persona—InkBits. This exploration, blending both my masculine and feminine sides through art, ultimately led me to discover and embrace my gender identity. It was always there, but now I had the language to make it real.

Now, as I stand at this point in my life, the next step is to align my body with the identity I’ve worked so hard to understand. For me, this means top surgery. It’s not just about physical transformation—it’s about finally being seen for who I truly am. When I look at myself, I don’t see breasts. I see the person I’ve always been inside, and I want the world to see that too.

I’ve had a consultation with Dr. Lisa Friederich, and the cost of the surgery is $12,000 for the surgeon’s fee and $3,500 for the anesthetic fee. Thankfully, my health insurance will cover most of the hospital costs, but there’s still a $750 excess fee that I will need to pay out-of-pocket.

I’m asking for your help to make this dream a reality. My goal is to raise $10,000 to help cover the costs of this gender-affirming care. Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings me one step closer to finally feeling at home in my body.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my journey and for supporting me as I take this next step toward living my truth.

With gratitude,

Jolene xx