Kieran's Top Surgery Fund

My name's Kieran. I'm 18 years old, and I'm transgender (female to male; pre-op). I started testosterone on March 28th, 2013, thus marking the start of my physical transition. Being on testosterone has increased my quality of life monumentally; I'm more confident, and happier all-around.

The next step in my physical transition is top surgery; to remove any extra breast tissue. This is something that I've been dying to have done for so long, and I just can't wait any longer. The only problem is that the surgery and associated fees come to be approximately $10,000 - which I do not have.

This seems like something that I can go without, but there are just so many reasons that I can't:
Firstly, binding (wearing a chest-compression vest in order to hide any extra breast tissue) is incredibly dangerous and can result in respiratory problems, as well as back problems. Not to mention the fact that it just causes really awful back pain, and is incredibly uncomfortable in the hot weather when you're sweating.

Not having had top surgery also just means that I can't participate in a lot of things that other people can. For instance: I can't go swimming, because wet binders aren't fun to wear and I have yet to find any effective trans-friendly swimwear. On top of that, there's a role in a musical that my town is putting on (Heathers) that I would absolutely love to audition for, but he has to be shirtless on stage at one point - so I can't play the role. These are just two of many things in my life that are affected by this.

But most importantly of all: it has a really negative effect on my mental health. Being this unhappy/uncomfortable with your body, and being held back from participating in things takes a really huge toll on your mental health. My happiness is compromised big time by it, and it's all just because I was given two X chromosomes instead of and X and a Y.

I can't even begin to express how greatly I appreciate any support I get in my attempt to raise these funds, and in regards to my transition in general. Thank you all so much.