Help Ari Get Their Top Surgery

Hi y'all,

I've made the difficult decision to crowd fund my top surgery. While gender affirmation surgery is covered in Alberta, there are limitations which are putting stress on myself and my family. For one, the wait list is min 1-3 years. Like many trans folks, now that I've come out and am taking hormones, I'm finding myself feeling more dysphoria around my chest (and I thought the opposite would happen - darn!). Secondly, I was put on the wait list for, as my doc put it, not "the best" surgeon but one with a shorter waitlist. I'm not certain I feel comfortable with this prospect. Finally, I'm a part of a family of four who need me in good health and able to work in order to contribute to our overall family income. Being at the behest of a waitlist that will require sudden time off isn't great for a gig worker supporting two kids. Private options allow me to choose my surgeon, limit the wait time, and likely choose a time to have the surgery that will not throw a monkey wrench into my family's lives.

Top surgery costs $8,000-$10,000.

My testosterone ($30/month) is not covered by Alberta Health or my Alberta Works insurance (Alberta Works is for low income families). My Propesca is fortunately covered as well as my antidepressants (yay!). I also invested in a $1400 human hair wig for film/tv/theatre auditions where I will need to have long hair. The $2000 I've added to my goal to cover my testosterone in the coming years, income support for the time I will be off work, and the wig. 

This is so much to ask of a community that has already been through a lot and who have stepped up to help me and my family more times than I can count. I honestly don't expect to make the goal BUT! If I can get a little ways there, I will try to save up for the rest. Doing this on our own timeline will be much more financial viable than if I continued on the public route.

Thanks a bunch,

Ari ❤️