Chest Quest 2019 - Olly's Top Surgery Fund
Donation protected
A lot of people wish they could change their body in some way. But when you’re transgender it’s a particular kind of disconnect and helplessness that permeates your every day and interaction. For me that means wearing a binder (chest compression garment) every day, and as a result dealing with rib and back pain every day too. It means avoiding certain clothes, feeling baffled at how I’m meant to stay cool in summer, or swim, and on the bad days just avoiding my reflection entirely.
Hey friends, thank you for clicking my link!
After years of attempting and failing to save for this on my own I was convinced by a friend to allow my community to support me and accept that it’s okay to accept help. I feel privileged to be white and have a full-time hospitality job; so have always thought it’s my responsibly to fund my double mastectomy myself. But unfortunately, our medical system doesn’t prioritise transgender procedures, even though they can be life saving and life changing.
I’ve been identifying as agender (meaning having no particular gender identity) since I was 16, and last March stated hormone therapy to find a greater joy and connection to my physical body. This past year has been one of the most comfortable, joyous, and content ones of my life, and although that’s not solely because of medical transition, I can see how important its been in easing my anxieties and discomforts that used to plague the way I walk through our very cisgender and heteronormative society. For me the next step in being able to just Be, is removing my breasts.
This surgery is undertaken by plastic surgeon, I’ve chosen to see Brett Archer of Southbank Plastic Surgery Center, and his surgery fee is approximately $6,500; so that’s my goal.
There are heaps of hidden costs like hospital and theater fees, anesthesiology, and recovery time – these things total closer to $10k. But a lot of that will be covered by my health insurance, medicare, accrued work leave and personal savings. I don’t have the luxury of meaningful financial support from my family and have been self-sufficient since I moved to Melbourne at 18, so these figures are supremely daunting. I hope to be as transparent in this process as possible and if by any chance I end up raising more money than needed, it will be passed on to another trans person in our Melbourne community who is fundraising for themselves.
I can’t properly articulate how life changing top surgery will be for me, to be able to go shirtless outside is a joy I haven’t felt since childhood. And don’t even get me started on the preemptive euphoria I feel at the prospect of being able to feel a shirt against the skin on my chest again. This surgery isn’t something I’m able to put off anymore, although I don’t yet have a set date (my next consultation is July 8th), this is something I’m pursuing no matter what.
I love my community and friends so much and can’t wait be taking these steps with your help, please share this on your own social media if you feel comfortable, it will help a lot.
If you have any money you’d like to pass on to make this a reality for me I would be so very thankful <3
Hey friends, thank you for clicking my link!
After years of attempting and failing to save for this on my own I was convinced by a friend to allow my community to support me and accept that it’s okay to accept help. I feel privileged to be white and have a full-time hospitality job; so have always thought it’s my responsibly to fund my double mastectomy myself. But unfortunately, our medical system doesn’t prioritise transgender procedures, even though they can be life saving and life changing.
I’ve been identifying as agender (meaning having no particular gender identity) since I was 16, and last March stated hormone therapy to find a greater joy and connection to my physical body. This past year has been one of the most comfortable, joyous, and content ones of my life, and although that’s not solely because of medical transition, I can see how important its been in easing my anxieties and discomforts that used to plague the way I walk through our very cisgender and heteronormative society. For me the next step in being able to just Be, is removing my breasts.
This surgery is undertaken by plastic surgeon, I’ve chosen to see Brett Archer of Southbank Plastic Surgery Center, and his surgery fee is approximately $6,500; so that’s my goal.
There are heaps of hidden costs like hospital and theater fees, anesthesiology, and recovery time – these things total closer to $10k. But a lot of that will be covered by my health insurance, medicare, accrued work leave and personal savings. I don’t have the luxury of meaningful financial support from my family and have been self-sufficient since I moved to Melbourne at 18, so these figures are supremely daunting. I hope to be as transparent in this process as possible and if by any chance I end up raising more money than needed, it will be passed on to another trans person in our Melbourne community who is fundraising for themselves.
I can’t properly articulate how life changing top surgery will be for me, to be able to go shirtless outside is a joy I haven’t felt since childhood. And don’t even get me started on the preemptive euphoria I feel at the prospect of being able to feel a shirt against the skin on my chest again. This surgery isn’t something I’m able to put off anymore, although I don’t yet have a set date (my next consultation is July 8th), this is something I’m pursuing no matter what.
I love my community and friends so much and can’t wait be taking these steps with your help, please share this on your own social media if you feel comfortable, it will help a lot.
If you have any money you’d like to pass on to make this a reality for me I would be so very thankful <3
Organizer
Olly Lawrence
Organizer
Thornbury VIC
