Help Greyson Fund His Mastectomy!
Donation protected
This is a goFundme page to raise funds for my (Greyson Simon's) mastectomy.
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If you've found this page, you probably know me in person, in which case, hey, I'm glad you're here. I truly appreciate all of the support I have received from you, my friends and family, surrounding this surgery. I know not all of you fully comprehend what this is for me, but thank you for trusting and respecting me anyway, and for being happy for me even if you "don't get it".
If you don't know me, you probably want to know a little bit about me... My name is Greyson Simon. I'm 24 and live in Seattle with my partner, Quinn. I make artisan beeswax candles for a company called Big Dipper Waxworks. I find my job incredibly fulfilling as it supports my values around climate and food justice. However, being an ex-college student with no trust-fund, I'm not exactly rolling around in piles of money (monopoly or otherwise).
I am also transgender. If you don't know what transgender is, please go check out the Wikipedia article. .. okay, back?... For me, being transgender comes with health care requirements. Unlike cis people (people who are not trans), my discomfort with my body is traumatic in scope. It's not just a whim I feel around January 1st when I think I should work out more or start biking again. It affects my mental health, my physical health, my emotional health, and virtually every aspect of my life on a daily basis. Many people have heard the idea of "being born in the wrong body." While I don't particularly like this phrase, cis people may find it helpful in understanding the severity and scope of this discomfort.
I have been on testosterone for almost 4 years now. I also wear a chest binder. I put it on in the morning and take it off before I go to bed. Over time, binding can (but not always) lead to rib fractures, reduced lung capacity, and back problems. While I've yet to have it looked at by a doctor, I suspect that I have already lost some of my lung capacity. This is part of why I am pursuing a mastectomy. This surgery will alter my chest to look more traditionally masculine and will radically alter my life. After a short healing period (a couple of weeks with no lifting and a couple months of tenderness), I will no longer have to wear a chest binder and can start working on getting my lung capacity back.
The best way to explain this is to think about a traditional cast, like for a broken leg. My chest binder is a cast that I have worn for over 5 years. Now imagine that cast being taken off after 5 years. How would that feel? You wouldn't have people asking you how you broke it anymore. You wouldn't have to choose clothing based on whether it will work with the cast or not. You wouldn't have to feel awkward about wearing a cast, or feel guilty for breaking your leg in the first place. For the first time in 5 years, you will be able to wear what you want, shower anywhere, and not have people constantly asking you to repeat a story that is probably incredibly painful for you. This is why surgery is vital to me.
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My partner and I recently lost our insurance due to a job shift, but hopefully this will be restored in a couple of months.Thankfully, I know a wonderful couple in Dallas who have a spare room that they let folks crash in for surgery stays, so housing for the week or so that I'll be in Texas is accounted for already. The breakdown of the rest of the costs are:
Surgery costs: $7,000
Airfare for both Quinn and I: $700
Car rental: $500
Incidentals: $500
This is why you're here. This is why I have made this page and am humbly asking for your donation. While $9,000 is a lot of money, I have seen the power of the Internet. I know how large my communities are. And if everyone within 6 degrees of me donates a couple bucks, we could literally meet this goal in hours (and then some!). Please spread the word.
Do you have a friend who regularly donates to charity? Ask them if this month, they can donate to me instead.
Someone not into gifts is having a birthday? Donate here and I will make them a card.
Larger donations are unmeasureably appreciated, as they will get me to my goal sooner, but every cent helps.
----
These are the steps I have taken to begin funding my surgery.
These were reset in July 2014 due to insurance changes.
[X] I have opened my first bank account in 4 years and have begun squirreling away a portion of every paycheck.
[_]* I have contacted my insurance company and have received an advocate who will walk through the insurance process with me and my partner Quinn. The three of us will make sure that the insurance covers what it says it will cover.
[X] I have researched surgeons [*that are within my insurance network] and have made a shortlist of surgeons who I will contact.
[X] I am in contact with a surgeon at the top of my list, and I am seeing about the details.
[_] I have had a consultation.
[_] I have held fundraising events on (date/s) which collectively raised $.
[_] I have scheduled my surgery date. My surgery will be on (date).
[_] I have arranged for housing during my stay in Texas.
[_] I have booked our tickets aka OMG IT'S HAPPENING!
* designates steps that would change based on insurance status.
..
Thank you for reading all the way down here. You made it!
----
If you've found this page, you probably know me in person, in which case, hey, I'm glad you're here. I truly appreciate all of the support I have received from you, my friends and family, surrounding this surgery. I know not all of you fully comprehend what this is for me, but thank you for trusting and respecting me anyway, and for being happy for me even if you "don't get it".
If you don't know me, you probably want to know a little bit about me... My name is Greyson Simon. I'm 24 and live in Seattle with my partner, Quinn. I make artisan beeswax candles for a company called Big Dipper Waxworks. I find my job incredibly fulfilling as it supports my values around climate and food justice. However, being an ex-college student with no trust-fund, I'm not exactly rolling around in piles of money (monopoly or otherwise).
I am also transgender. If you don't know what transgender is, please go check out the Wikipedia article. .. okay, back?... For me, being transgender comes with health care requirements. Unlike cis people (people who are not trans), my discomfort with my body is traumatic in scope. It's not just a whim I feel around January 1st when I think I should work out more or start biking again. It affects my mental health, my physical health, my emotional health, and virtually every aspect of my life on a daily basis. Many people have heard the idea of "being born in the wrong body." While I don't particularly like this phrase, cis people may find it helpful in understanding the severity and scope of this discomfort.
I have been on testosterone for almost 4 years now. I also wear a chest binder. I put it on in the morning and take it off before I go to bed. Over time, binding can (but not always) lead to rib fractures, reduced lung capacity, and back problems. While I've yet to have it looked at by a doctor, I suspect that I have already lost some of my lung capacity. This is part of why I am pursuing a mastectomy. This surgery will alter my chest to look more traditionally masculine and will radically alter my life. After a short healing period (a couple of weeks with no lifting and a couple months of tenderness), I will no longer have to wear a chest binder and can start working on getting my lung capacity back.
The best way to explain this is to think about a traditional cast, like for a broken leg. My chest binder is a cast that I have worn for over 5 years. Now imagine that cast being taken off after 5 years. How would that feel? You wouldn't have people asking you how you broke it anymore. You wouldn't have to choose clothing based on whether it will work with the cast or not. You wouldn't have to feel awkward about wearing a cast, or feel guilty for breaking your leg in the first place. For the first time in 5 years, you will be able to wear what you want, shower anywhere, and not have people constantly asking you to repeat a story that is probably incredibly painful for you. This is why surgery is vital to me.
----
My partner and I recently lost our insurance due to a job shift, but hopefully this will be restored in a couple of months.Thankfully, I know a wonderful couple in Dallas who have a spare room that they let folks crash in for surgery stays, so housing for the week or so that I'll be in Texas is accounted for already. The breakdown of the rest of the costs are:
Surgery costs: $7,000
Airfare for both Quinn and I: $700
Car rental: $500
Incidentals: $500
This is why you're here. This is why I have made this page and am humbly asking for your donation. While $9,000 is a lot of money, I have seen the power of the Internet. I know how large my communities are. And if everyone within 6 degrees of me donates a couple bucks, we could literally meet this goal in hours (and then some!). Please spread the word.
Do you have a friend who regularly donates to charity? Ask them if this month, they can donate to me instead.
Someone not into gifts is having a birthday? Donate here and I will make them a card.
Larger donations are unmeasureably appreciated, as they will get me to my goal sooner, but every cent helps.
----
These are the steps I have taken to begin funding my surgery.
These were reset in July 2014 due to insurance changes.
[X] I have opened my first bank account in 4 years and have begun squirreling away a portion of every paycheck.
[_]* I have contacted my insurance company and have received an advocate who will walk through the insurance process with me and my partner Quinn. The three of us will make sure that the insurance covers what it says it will cover.
[X] I have researched surgeons [*that are within my insurance network] and have made a shortlist of surgeons who I will contact.
[X] I am in contact with a surgeon at the top of my list, and I am seeing about the details.
[_] I have had a consultation.
[_] I have held fundraising events on (date/s) which collectively raised $.
[_] I have scheduled my surgery date. My surgery will be on (date).
[_] I have arranged for housing during my stay in Texas.
[_] I have booked our tickets aka OMG IT'S HAPPENING!
* designates steps that would change based on insurance status.
..
Thank you for reading all the way down here. You made it!
Organizer
Greyson Simon
Organizer
Seattle, WA
