TransGuy on a Mission: Top Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Hi there!
My name is Jayden and I'm a second generation Vietnamese, queer-identified transguy. I am currently working on my doctoral degree, a part of a trans*-focused research lab called T*Star Lab, serving on the board for the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), and a contributor for QueerBOIS.com!
I am currently raising money for my top surgery (i.e. a double mastectomy/double incision method) because my insurance does not cover it. Trans* exclusionary policies of my insurance company deem top surgery as "cosmetic" and not a medical necessity. However, the distress of my dysphoria is a medical necessity.
I have been experiencing dysphoria over my chest before I even came out as trans and it continues to create severe discomfort and distress. I have been wearing binders for the last couple of years, but long term use of binders can cause medical concerns (e.g., difficulties with breathing, broken ribs). I would love to have physical freedom from the constricting nature of my binders and the psychological freedom from the feelings of hopelessness and dysphoria. I would love to finally be able to live comfortably and happily with the flat chest I have always dreamed of having. Top surgery will significantly decrease my feelings of dysphoria, which will free up a lot of cognitive space to be used to continue my scholarly and advocacy work with communities of color, and queer and trans communities. It will also allow me to be able to change my gender marker on my government documents to match the gender that I identify with; currently, the state of Kentucky will not recognize my gender until I have had a gender affirming surgery. Furthermore, top surgery will allow me to enjoy the little things in life again, like swimming. I miss swimming.
I am hoping to have my top surgery be performed by Dr. Garramone in Florida. Currently, the fees for Dr. Garramone and the hospital is $6,900 for the Double Incision Method and an additional $2000-$5000 for the Body Masculinization ManSculpture® Procedure. I am hoping to be able to raise the funds in time to be able to get the surgery over my Winter Break at the end of this year (2014).
I have already saved up $4,000 on my own, over the last couple of years. I am hoping to raise an additional $8,000 to cover the rest of the surgery cost, plane tickets for a travel companion and I, our week long recovery stay in Florida (Dr. Garramone will remove the stitches and drains after 1 week post-surgery), and the 7.9% that goes back to gofundme.com.
I am horrible at asking for monetary donations, though, especially when I'm unable to give something back of equal value. Because I am asking, I want to give back to my donors somehow. Unfortunately, I am artistically inept and cannot create something for you that is worth of equal value. However, I want to give back, regardless. So I have come up with small things that I can do:
$10 - I will give a shout out to my donors on my social media outlets (with consent, of course)! These social media outlets include but are not limited to FaceBook, Tumblr, and Twitter.
$25 - I will send donors a thank you card, in addition to lower level rewards.
$75 - I will personally hand write individualized "thank you" notes to donors, in addition to lower level rewards. I apologize in advance for my sloppy hand writing.
$150 - Donors will receive an invitation to my post-surgery celebration and donor's first drink is on me (must be age 21+), in addition to lower level rewards!
$250 - I will personally take, print, and send donors a photo of one of my favorite Louisville locations, as well as a personal story of why I chose that location, in addition to lower level rewards! I was born, raised, and still live in Louisville. I am incredibly proud of my beautiful city and it holds so much loving, important memories for me. I would love to share with you a part of the city that had a huge impact on me.
$500 - I will distribute my first paycheck (circa 2017-18) to Non-Profit Organizations of the donor's choosing, in addition to lower level rewards.
$1000 - I will personally come to donor's home and cook a delicious Vietnamese Pho dinner, using my family's recipe (or dishes of donor's choosing, must live within 150 miles). This is in addition to lower level rewards!
Additional reward options may be added if I can come up with something else that I can do to give back!
I will be continuing to raise money on my end as well so I don't have to ask as much from donors.
Thank you for all of your support!
My name is Jayden and I'm a second generation Vietnamese, queer-identified transguy. I am currently working on my doctoral degree, a part of a trans*-focused research lab called T*Star Lab, serving on the board for the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), and a contributor for QueerBOIS.com!
I am currently raising money for my top surgery (i.e. a double mastectomy/double incision method) because my insurance does not cover it. Trans* exclusionary policies of my insurance company deem top surgery as "cosmetic" and not a medical necessity. However, the distress of my dysphoria is a medical necessity.
I have been experiencing dysphoria over my chest before I even came out as trans and it continues to create severe discomfort and distress. I have been wearing binders for the last couple of years, but long term use of binders can cause medical concerns (e.g., difficulties with breathing, broken ribs). I would love to have physical freedom from the constricting nature of my binders and the psychological freedom from the feelings of hopelessness and dysphoria. I would love to finally be able to live comfortably and happily with the flat chest I have always dreamed of having. Top surgery will significantly decrease my feelings of dysphoria, which will free up a lot of cognitive space to be used to continue my scholarly and advocacy work with communities of color, and queer and trans communities. It will also allow me to be able to change my gender marker on my government documents to match the gender that I identify with; currently, the state of Kentucky will not recognize my gender until I have had a gender affirming surgery. Furthermore, top surgery will allow me to enjoy the little things in life again, like swimming. I miss swimming.
I am hoping to have my top surgery be performed by Dr. Garramone in Florida. Currently, the fees for Dr. Garramone and the hospital is $6,900 for the Double Incision Method and an additional $2000-$5000 for the Body Masculinization ManSculpture® Procedure. I am hoping to be able to raise the funds in time to be able to get the surgery over my Winter Break at the end of this year (2014).
I have already saved up $4,000 on my own, over the last couple of years. I am hoping to raise an additional $8,000 to cover the rest of the surgery cost, plane tickets for a travel companion and I, our week long recovery stay in Florida (Dr. Garramone will remove the stitches and drains after 1 week post-surgery), and the 7.9% that goes back to gofundme.com.
I am horrible at asking for monetary donations, though, especially when I'm unable to give something back of equal value. Because I am asking, I want to give back to my donors somehow. Unfortunately, I am artistically inept and cannot create something for you that is worth of equal value. However, I want to give back, regardless. So I have come up with small things that I can do:
$10 - I will give a shout out to my donors on my social media outlets (with consent, of course)! These social media outlets include but are not limited to FaceBook, Tumblr, and Twitter.
$25 - I will send donors a thank you card, in addition to lower level rewards.
$75 - I will personally hand write individualized "thank you" notes to donors, in addition to lower level rewards. I apologize in advance for my sloppy hand writing.
$150 - Donors will receive an invitation to my post-surgery celebration and donor's first drink is on me (must be age 21+), in addition to lower level rewards!
$250 - I will personally take, print, and send donors a photo of one of my favorite Louisville locations, as well as a personal story of why I chose that location, in addition to lower level rewards! I was born, raised, and still live in Louisville. I am incredibly proud of my beautiful city and it holds so much loving, important memories for me. I would love to share with you a part of the city that had a huge impact on me.
$500 - I will distribute my first paycheck (circa 2017-18) to Non-Profit Organizations of the donor's choosing, in addition to lower level rewards.
$1000 - I will personally come to donor's home and cook a delicious Vietnamese Pho dinner, using my family's recipe (or dishes of donor's choosing, must live within 150 miles). This is in addition to lower level rewards!
Additional reward options may be added if I can come up with something else that I can do to give back!
I will be continuing to raise money on my end as well so I don't have to ask as much from donors.
Thank you for all of your support!
Organizer
Jayden Thai
Organizer
Louisville, KY