Kallvin’s top surgery

Over 6 years ago, aged 11, my daughter came to me in turmoil, confused as she didn’t know how to tell me she was transgender. I was a little shocked at first but supported the decision. We took steps to find out more information and got referred to the Gender Identity Sevices in Leeds. (GIDS) A year later Evie took the bravest step of her life, as she transitioned into expressing as a boy and became Kallvin. We finally got through the long waiting list for GIDS and then a lengthy assessment process for medical intervention. Starting with hormone blockers which he was desperate for to stop the affects of puberty. It’s not been plain sailing, it took time for kall to build confidence. There has been bullying, misgendering, even some of his own family disowning him! Then top that off with dysphoria, it is the recipe for a very difficult time. A few years ago, he suffered from crippling mental health. We had months of self harm, suicidal thoughts and 2 suicide attempts, leading him into a Mental Health Unit for 6 months. This had a detrimental effect on the process through GIDS, as they can’t give medical intervention to someone who is already struggling. Stopping the hormones can cause low mood and drive so is too risky to someone who is already struggling with those things. He had to prove he was mentally stable for 6 months until blockers would even be considered! Fast forward and the progress this boy made was unreal after years of mental health struggles. He has now surpassed the 6 month threshold of stability, being clean from self harm and free from suicidal ideation. After 3 years of appointments at GIDS they were finally ready to give Kall blockers! I am getting goosebumps as I am typing this as the excitement and happiness I saw in Kall was electric, to finally be on the medical journey to be able to become his true identity. Kall started college to be a budding artist and a this June kall will received his first shot of testosterone to affirm his gender. This in time will have such a huge positive impact on his physical appearance and emotional well being .. boosting his masculinity and self confidence. There is another piece of the puzzle that Kall needs to help stop the dysphoria and turmoil he experiences, which is top surgery. Unfortunately the waiting list for this on the NHS is a daunting amount of years to wait. So we have decided to try fundraise and go private for the surgery when Kall reaches 18. Some of us may never truly understand the effects of living with the wrong body. Some days Kall can’t even shower due to the sight of his own body. There are days when we have been to the beach and he has to go to the car and cry because there are boys his age going topless and he can’t and has to wear a hoody. A lot of things others take for granted can just not happen with out this life changing surgery, to help Kall be his true, authentic self on the outside as well as the inside. Kall will not be reach the criteria for surgery until he is 18(March 24) but I have started raising funds now as I understand it could take a long while to raise enough.Kallvin is one of the most caring boys I have ever met... always trying to help others, putting others before himself, and is just the most sweet and loving boy ever. He’s going to grow up into a fine young man, please help us raise money to help him become the man he deserves! P.s Thanks for taking the time to read this!