Natalie's FFS & Transition Care
Imagine looking at yourself in the mirror, but the face reflected back is not who you truly are. As a transgender woman this is my reality every single day. The disconnect between who I am and who I see is gutting. It manifests as dysphoria and depression, which negatively impacts every aspect of my life. In summoning the same courage I needed when I made the decision to transition, I am now fighting through my fear of asking for help… your help. I need Facial Feminization Surgery, which I cannot afford. Your support in making this possible for me would be invaluable. But more importantly, it would be life-changing. Will you help me fully become the woman I am?
I really do wish I could see what others tell me they see. All I see is the masculinity in my face. I recently met with a doctor to discuss the possibility of Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS). I was so excited when they showed me what I could look like, or more accurately, what I should have looked like from the beginning. Then she showed me the cost. To put it mildly, it was deflating. I felt as if my transition stopped dead in its tracks. Not that I would take a step back, but that there were no more steps forward. And the thought of that crushed me.
Unfortunately, for many who do not understand the nightmare that is gender dysphoria these procedures are viewed as cosmetic. Insurance carriers often do not understand this either so, as a result, these are typically not covered and we must pay the full price. These are not cosmetic procedures to the trans community though. They're life-saving "reconstructions".
So, I'm coming to you, my friends, family, and even strangers, who have been so helpful and supportive since I came out. I'm going to ask for a little more help. Every little bit helps me get closer to eliminating this dysphoria, and subsequent depression. It gets me one step closer to finally aligning who I know I am with what the world sees in 2021. Thank you.
If you want to know about my struggles with gender dysphoria
