#RiseforRyan
Donation protected
My name is Ryan Stalvey, I'm 16 years old and I'm FTM Transgender.
I currently live with my unoffical foster family (The Dennis Family) who are trying desperately to gain custody from my biological parents who abused me for existing.
Unfortunately, even though my biological parents don't want me, they refuse to give up custody, to control my life to fit their ill will towards me. I have been living with the Dennis Family since January 7th, 2016. They have supported me all on their own without a penny from my parents, and they plan to keep it that way and officially adopt me.
Fighting my biological parents in court wont be free. Court fees have popped up along the way that unfortunately we cannot bear financially. We are on our way to legally being a happy family, but hte journey is far from over so I'm turning to you for help.
When the Dennis Family gains legal custody of me, I'll finally be able to go to the doctor, the dentist, decide what future I want for my education, start HRT (hormone replacement therapy/Testosterone), get my drivers lisence, a name change, and get paid for my job. Theres so many problems we run into every day because my biological parents do everything in their power to make my life harder. I don't even know my own social security number because it's been hidden from me all my life.
I've made a statement to the judge before about transferring custody (which was denied), and I'll leave you with what I asked:
“Hello… My name is Ryan I am here standing today in this room as a 16 year old boy who just wants to live my life happy and feel safe and loved. That’s what all of you want in this room is for every single human being to feel loved and to feel safe and to feel happy. We as human beings are so quick to judge and label people and how the feel or what their lifestyle is or how they look but in reality we have to remember that no matter what your political views are or what god you believe in we all want every single child to feel safe and loved in their home. Sadly I did not when I lived with My mother and father. they were only worried about what people would think of them because their little girl was truly a little boy. So when the found out I was trans the backlash from them was outrageous. Especially from my mother. They made me believe I was wrong, and so I began feeling depressed, lost, and alone. They did not understand that you just had to love your child. I am asking you today because I have lived most of my life sad and scared to please let me live with Nick and Heidi Dennis because they have made me feel safe, loved and I feel proud of who I am. I have developed a brotherhood with their transgender son, Kyler and a place in that house. I even have my own cat there. When I was removed from the home to live with my grandma for a week, Nick described it as taking a piece of furniture away. I belong there. I didn’t feel safe in my old house, so I stand here before you, begging you to let Heidi and Nick gain legal custody of me. I’m not going back to a house that doesn’t feel like a home. I’m not going back to Suicidal thoughts and every day self harm. I held a gun to my head in the sixth grade because I thought I liked girls and I was afraid of what my own mother would think. What 12 year old, holds a gun to their head? What 12 year old would rather die then tell their parents that they’re a little different? They say there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. My parents found out I was transgender at 14 years old. I’ll tell you what, this two year long tunnel has led up to the Dennis family. I can see them, they’re my light. I’m not at the end of that tunnel yet because my parents still have legal attachment to me. So again, please just let me get ahold of that light.”
I currently live with my unoffical foster family (The Dennis Family) who are trying desperately to gain custody from my biological parents who abused me for existing.
Unfortunately, even though my biological parents don't want me, they refuse to give up custody, to control my life to fit their ill will towards me. I have been living with the Dennis Family since January 7th, 2016. They have supported me all on their own without a penny from my parents, and they plan to keep it that way and officially adopt me.
Fighting my biological parents in court wont be free. Court fees have popped up along the way that unfortunately we cannot bear financially. We are on our way to legally being a happy family, but hte journey is far from over so I'm turning to you for help.
When the Dennis Family gains legal custody of me, I'll finally be able to go to the doctor, the dentist, decide what future I want for my education, start HRT (hormone replacement therapy/Testosterone), get my drivers lisence, a name change, and get paid for my job. Theres so many problems we run into every day because my biological parents do everything in their power to make my life harder. I don't even know my own social security number because it's been hidden from me all my life.
I've made a statement to the judge before about transferring custody (which was denied), and I'll leave you with what I asked:
“Hello… My name is Ryan I am here standing today in this room as a 16 year old boy who just wants to live my life happy and feel safe and loved. That’s what all of you want in this room is for every single human being to feel loved and to feel safe and to feel happy. We as human beings are so quick to judge and label people and how the feel or what their lifestyle is or how they look but in reality we have to remember that no matter what your political views are or what god you believe in we all want every single child to feel safe and loved in their home. Sadly I did not when I lived with My mother and father. they were only worried about what people would think of them because their little girl was truly a little boy. So when the found out I was trans the backlash from them was outrageous. Especially from my mother. They made me believe I was wrong, and so I began feeling depressed, lost, and alone. They did not understand that you just had to love your child. I am asking you today because I have lived most of my life sad and scared to please let me live with Nick and Heidi Dennis because they have made me feel safe, loved and I feel proud of who I am. I have developed a brotherhood with their transgender son, Kyler and a place in that house. I even have my own cat there. When I was removed from the home to live with my grandma for a week, Nick described it as taking a piece of furniture away. I belong there. I didn’t feel safe in my old house, so I stand here before you, begging you to let Heidi and Nick gain legal custody of me. I’m not going back to a house that doesn’t feel like a home. I’m not going back to Suicidal thoughts and every day self harm. I held a gun to my head in the sixth grade because I thought I liked girls and I was afraid of what my own mother would think. What 12 year old, holds a gun to their head? What 12 year old would rather die then tell their parents that they’re a little different? They say there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. My parents found out I was transgender at 14 years old. I’ll tell you what, this two year long tunnel has led up to the Dennis family. I can see them, they’re my light. I’m not at the end of that tunnel yet because my parents still have legal attachment to me. So again, please just let me get ahold of that light.”
Organizer
Ryan Katohda
Organizer
Jacksonville, FL
