Bariatric Surgery for Ramona Thomas
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Ramona. Most people who know me call me Jade. I'm transgender, and started transitioning in 2017. I'm a political activist, small business owner, and active in the local LGBT community.
I've been obese for my entire life. Currently, in November 2020, I'm hovering around 415 lbs. In order to qualify for gender reassignment surgery, I have to get down to a "healthy" weight range, losing close to, if not more, than half my weight.
My doctors, therapist, family, friends and loved ones agree that the best solution for me, and the only one that has a real chance of working, is to have bariatric surgery to enable me to lose significant amounts of weight. I've been saving money for quite a while to be able to afford this surgery.
Due to some insurance issues, as well as having to have gallbladder surgery last month, I'm not going to be able to have my surgery in 2020, and the pre-surgical clearances, as well as the gallbladder surgery, used up all of that savings.
My only option at this point is to pay my insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum *again* in 2021, or do without the surgery, which will delay and prevent me from having my GRS for many more years. Unfortunately, my savings is depleted, and without those options, I'm terrified of what my future looks like. My depression and anxiety have taken a major hit due to these complications, so I'll admit it, I'm desperate. I need help.
This fundraiser will be used to pay my insurance deductible, which is $6000 annually. Any amount received up to that amount will be used only for those medical expenses necessary to get my treatment and hit my deductible. With any luck, I'll be able to schedule my surgery for early in 2021.
The timing of everything is unfortunate. With the pandemic putting everyone's life in disarray, mine included, and with the holidays fast approaching, I know that times are tough for a lot of people. But every bit helps. I have to make the payment for my surgery in full before I go into the hospital, so every dollar is needed as soon as possible. If at all possible, knowing that I have the money and can schedule the surgery by Christmastime will make this dark, dreadful year, so much better.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your help in these trying times. Your kindness will not go unnoticed.
I've been obese for my entire life. Currently, in November 2020, I'm hovering around 415 lbs. In order to qualify for gender reassignment surgery, I have to get down to a "healthy" weight range, losing close to, if not more, than half my weight.
My doctors, therapist, family, friends and loved ones agree that the best solution for me, and the only one that has a real chance of working, is to have bariatric surgery to enable me to lose significant amounts of weight. I've been saving money for quite a while to be able to afford this surgery.
Due to some insurance issues, as well as having to have gallbladder surgery last month, I'm not going to be able to have my surgery in 2020, and the pre-surgical clearances, as well as the gallbladder surgery, used up all of that savings.
My only option at this point is to pay my insurance deductible and out-of-pocket maximum *again* in 2021, or do without the surgery, which will delay and prevent me from having my GRS for many more years. Unfortunately, my savings is depleted, and without those options, I'm terrified of what my future looks like. My depression and anxiety have taken a major hit due to these complications, so I'll admit it, I'm desperate. I need help.
This fundraiser will be used to pay my insurance deductible, which is $6000 annually. Any amount received up to that amount will be used only for those medical expenses necessary to get my treatment and hit my deductible. With any luck, I'll be able to schedule my surgery for early in 2021.
The timing of everything is unfortunate. With the pandemic putting everyone's life in disarray, mine included, and with the holidays fast approaching, I know that times are tough for a lot of people. But every bit helps. I have to make the payment for my surgery in full before I go into the hospital, so every dollar is needed as soon as possible. If at all possible, knowing that I have the money and can schedule the surgery by Christmastime will make this dark, dreadful year, so much better.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your help in these trying times. Your kindness will not go unnoticed.
Organizer
Ramona Thomas
Organizer
Louisville, KY
