Updates + Details at end ⬇️

***Over the coming 18 months I’ll be selling most of my valuables to fund this so if there’s anything you’re interested in, or anything I can offer you commission-wise through my art page please hit up @gladiaturd. Failing that, this is a space where IF friends feel able and willing, they can add support**

Hey mates, this sucks. It feels so so wrong asking for money, but I’ve hit a wall. I’ve been given a 30k quote for my top surgery due to health complications (not including surgeon consultations, recovery, checkups, stitch removal etc). It’s time for me to bite the bullet.

It’s been an over 10 year medical marathon (story and updates bottom of text) and…after trying to do everything on my own I have exhausted my options in funding. I am single, on a small disability pension and do not have family support. I pay all the normal living costs (rent, bills, groceries, medications, medical appointments) and will have to consider doing so while recovering. I will hopefully have some assistance in showering and feeding myself post surgery as I have a NDIS carer as my functioning has declined to “migrainelepsy”

This has been a very long time coming and I’ve had to be realistic with myself that generating 30k completely on my own and then caring for myself post surgery is not going to happen. I’m hoping maybe if I can chip away at half with this fundraiser there’ll be light at the end of the tunnel.

If you are unable to donate or this fund doesn’t aline with your values I completely completely totally understand (costs of living…genocides ongoing…etc)

I can’t put into words how grateful I am for anyone’s moral or financial support- only that I’m incredibly uncomfortable asking for it and that I’ll pay it forward in any way I can. But in order to do that I have to be around and show up for you all

and that isn’t going to happen in my current state.

If nothing I hope this encourages other people who need a hand to reach out and advocate for themselves- it’s been other visible trans people that have given me to hope to even do this. And that I’m eternally grateful for.

Kator

2013- used all my savings for breast reduction surgery (crippling shoulder pain, I’m short etc etc etc) went from a H cup down to about an E, surgeons removed 565 grams per cup/ 1.130 kilos of tissue from my chest (l weighed 48-51kgs back then) my back has never really recovered from how big I was

2020- referred to Monash Gender Clinic for consultation given 2 year wait

2022- entered clinic, underwent 4-6 l month exhaustive psych eval with some intense questions with student psychologist (more on that later) + assessments, submitted written components. At the end of this I was basically given the green light, told assessment was done, and told to come back when I was 3 months away from my surgery date to receive my coveted “Wpath” letter (the letter the surgeon needs to legally perform the top surgery).

2022- I went to my surgeons appointment ($280) and was given the heavily news my surgery was going to be 30k. In my initial appointment, the surgeon said multiple disabilities, illnesses, previous skin graft and excessive scar tissue could put me at a much higher risk of sepsis, revision surgery or tissue rejection. To lower the cost I’ve opted for a plain mastectomy instead of chest reconstruction which he has recommended.

2022- During this time my best friend died of breast cancer after a two year gauntlet. I was really involved and it was really distressing (iykyk)

2023- I experienced a period of housing instability /homelessness and had to move multiple times, selling a lot of my belongings, lost a lot of savings, very stressful period.

2024- applied and was accepted to NDIS due to decline in function; diabetes, mental health and horrific drug resistant semi permanent migraine which is gotten gradually more incapacitating since ‘23.

2025 June- Launch of this fundraiser. Inability to fully regain savings pre-housing instability.

2025 June- was able to see a neurologist ($400 out of pocket savings) MRI is clear but after trial and error over the course of some months I’m now on three seperate medications for my migrainelipsy, one of them being an anti seizure medication.

2025 Oct- checked back in with Monash Gender Clinic and received a really weird and distressing email which read as though there was something wrong/amiss with my assessment, notes or information at the clinic. Told that my clinician was not qualified/ “a surgeon would not accept” a letter written by him. Having to reconsider advocacy, potential huge 5 year setback ???, very upsetting.

2025 Dec- Applied and referred to three month waitlist for Northside Clinic to see GP specialising Gender Affirming and Chronic Disease management to help with above + disability care.

2026 Feb- Received an email three months later being knocked back from the clinic on the basis of lack of capacity/inability to provide level of care. Too many chronic illnesses/needs. This was pretty devastating. Told to try Equinox.

2026 Feb- waiting for Equinox waitlist to open to try them instead.