Hi Community,

For the last four years, my life has been on the run, and when I say this, I mean that my need to follow a linear "success" path as a young, Black Trans woman has led me to neglect the essential part of myself that anchors me to the world— my body. After the passing of my parents in 2012 and 2015, I lost the ability to slow down and think about my transition. I could not take the proper steps to map out what would affirm my womanhood, alleviate my constant dysphoria, and allow me to wake up feeling like I could move through the world confidently. I was constantly moving because of job and housing instability, and my mental health was continually plummeting. My friends, family, and community felt like all I had, and no doubt they showed up considerably when I needed them.

Now that I am finally in a better place, in graduate school, I have the space and time to attend to my transition again! Although I am in grad school, there is an assumption that i am financially stable, which is just deeply false. My university doesn't pay me nearly enough, nor does our insurance plan have adequate support written into the program to facilitate robust "medical care" for their Trans* students. As well, living in Chicago, IL (the midwest), access to medicare does not have comprehensive Trans health plans, so it dually blocks my ability to get certain surgeries and have access to particular therapies I n I need and desire to continue my transition.

So, now I deeply need your support and name that diversly. I am trying to fundraise for three major procedures:

All three of these surgeries come out to and therapy that i've named will cost me rougly 25k, and arent possible to be funded by Chicago Medicaid or the University of Chicago, which is why I am seeking support. I am hoping to that folks cam help me by donating (whatever you can will be deeply appreciated), and by circulating to family, friends, colleagues, community members, and institutions that support medical assitance for Black Trans folks. Once again, to be able to have funds to get these surgeries would be a dream come true, and I hope to make this possible with you all's support!

In Soldarity & Love,

Jamie