So, uh, want to help me take my top off?

[bodlon]

This is an awkward post to write, so I hope you'll bear with me and read it through to the end.

I'm thirty-one. I help support my disabled mother, who lives in the downstairs unit of my duplex, which needs a new roof this year (and which my roommate and I are working on financing in more traditional ways). My day job pays for as much of this as it can, my writing pays for as much of the rest of it as I can manage, and the rest is occasionally terrifying.

Typical artist scenario, really.

I'm also a Female-to-Male transgender man. I've been out and living as male full-time since 2006, and have been on testosterone for a few years. My insurance doesn't cover my transition at all (save that my hormones are in their formulary, so I pay $7 a couple of times a month instead of $20-30), so all of the medical end of my transition -- endocrinology and surgery -- has to come out of pocket.

Chest masculinization surgery -- aka "top surgery" as it's more commonly called -- is expensive. The alternative, which I've been doing since I came out, is binding my chest using a strong spandex tank-top called a binder. A binder smooths things out, and then I can layer with outerwear, but it also limits my range of movement and compresses my ribs and trunk. Uncomfortable is putting it mildly, but I'm well endowed enough in this particular area that going without really isn't an option.

About a week ago, I had really excellent opportunity to have top surgery basically appear out of nowhere. The surgeon is local, he's knowledgeable and kind, and he thinks I'm a good candidate for surgery. This is, frankly, amazing news.

The trouble is, this surgery costs about $9200, which is nearly fourteen of my regular paychecks. My financing options are limited right now -- fixing the roof is likely to tap out my ability to really take on debt -- but if I can raise at least $6k, my surgeon is willing to work out some financing options with me. The more I can scrape together, though, the better.

If this wasn't a really fantastic opportunity, or if I could do it all by myself, I wouldn't be writing this. It is, though, and I know lots of us have offered contributions for this kind of thing for other folks in this position. My goal is to have the funds by October 31st so that I can schedule surgery before the end of the year (when operating room and anesthesia costs will rise again).

So. Here's how you can help me make this happen:

- Share this link with folks who might be willing to assist. I'm not shy about my trans status, and I'm a writer, so my identity isn't a secret. Shouting from rooftops (using appropriate safety apparatus) is perfectly okay.

- Plain old donations via PayPal. Does what it says on the tin, and you'll have my gratitude all the same. Anyone who donates at least $30 should share their mailing address with me so that I can send something special (probably a Hold Something-style story or other shiny object) once I've met my goal.

So yeah! PayPal button. Gotta love the PayPal button.

- Buy (and if you like it, recommend) my short story, "Finished" (which previously appeared in the now out-of-print LGBTQ issue of Crossed Genres) at Smashwords. It's a story about someone a bit like me, if I also happened to be an intergalactic art thief who can fight like Jason Statham. It's only 99 cents, and I'm quite proud of it.

- Bid on my eBay auctions. I'm harvesting books and other various things from my boxes and shelves, and will have new items up roughly every week. Shipping is via USPS Priority Mail, so this is really mostly only works well if you're in the US.

This post has been mirrored from Christian A. Young's Dimlight Archive. To see it in its original format, visit dimlightarchive.com

Comments

[pocketmouse]

*vibrates*
I just got a text from a friend saying he's leaving his job next month and I'm #1 on his rec list to have his job. If I get it, I won't need the 2.4k I've been saving towards for the children's theatre. If I get his job, or if I don't but somehow the children's theatre gets a grant and I don't need the money I've saved, I will gleefully give you a large chunk of it.

Frustratingly, if neither of the above happens, I currently don't have enough money to live on through August.

So that's why I'm not jumping to beat everyone else to the clicky button. Since your goal is the end of October, I'll definitely know well before then how much I can give, but I also don't want to wait longer than I have to to donate. So I'm promising you now at least $50, but I might not be able to donate until October. But that way you can factor in that amount.

[bodlon]

One, you're awesome.

Two, tell me if you need me to send you care packages of food.

Three, the birthday thing? I have run afoul of backordering. It's ridic. ARGH. Hopefully you will get it before a thousand years from now.

[pocketmouse]

1. Dude, I'm restraining myself from immediately just shoving the credit card I've nearly paid off at you. I should wait and see how much others offer before I do that. I can't believe how excited I am for you.

2. I will probably be all right even if things stay status quo -- it's just no one has sent out their overhire calls for next fiscal year yet, so I don't have much work lined up yet, but I'm sure that will change. I just can't schedule money right now.

3. Backorder is fine! Backorder is tracked down, and it means I don't have to be suspicious of our very nice postal worker.

[bodlon]

1. Restraint is good.

2. I can get really good deals on things like pasta/rice sides, and tend to hoard non-perishables anyway. So. Do not be troubled if things are slim. Random edibles are a Priority Mail Flat Rate Box away.

3. Be kind to USPS. They are like librarians in their secret masterness.

[pocketmouse]

2. I also have a roommate who shares all her food ever, so I think food-wise I'm good. Really, if I don't get enough work I'll just be dipping into my savings, which I try not to do as I don't have a real retirement plan.

3. The postmistress is very nice! I'm just also waiting on a paycheck that I was told was in the mail 2 weeks ago. I am pursuing that with the employer, so hopefully that's all that is too.

[settiai]

2. pocketmouse also has a roommate who works in a restaurant and has no qualms about flirting with the cooks to get free food. (See? The job does have its good points. Not many, but some.)

[bodlon]

Devious!

(Also, flirting is less of a requirement and more of a fringe benefit in this plan. Heh.)