Top Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Hello! I'm Kee, a 23 year old transgender male (FTM) trying to raise money in order to have top surgery done in the next two years.
I have been on hormone replacement therapy for about one and a half years now, and using a chest binder for 3 years. I have chronic Asthma and using the binder makes it even harder to breathe. That's why it has become clear that I cannot wait to have surgery for much longer - binding is causing me back pain and making it hard for me to exercise.
I have known that I wasn't female for a much longer time than I have been 'out'; I have known since I was a young child that I was uncomfortable with my body, and realized I was most likely transgender when I hit puberty (when my chest came in, I did not feel as happy as I expected to. it made me feel very uncomfortable).
I waited to see if it was just a phase but after about a decade of repression and massive discomfort with my body, it clearly wasn't. I started binding my chest when I was 19. With a flat chest, I felt genuinely attractive for the first time in my life. I felt proud of my appearance, and it felt like some great burden had been lifted off of my chest (pun not intended). About a year later I came out and asked everyone to use he/him pronouns.
When I started HRT (hormone replacement therapy) it was also a profound experience; since then I have finally been able to feel good about my voice and am not as hesitant to speak in public.
I go to counseling currently and just finished up a successful semester at college, going for a biochemistry degree. I have insurance but it will not cover the entire cost of my surgery, or pay for related costs such as the medical supplies I will need during recovery or the time off of work. I can not ask anyone in my life for money, as my parents just make ends meet and such is the same for most of my family.
Having the surgery for me will be a truly life changing experience. I will no longer have back pain, my breathing will greatly improve and I will no longer feel disgusted when I look at my chest. Eventually, I'll be able to go shirtless like any other man, and I wont have to feel awkward while swimming (an activity that I love). I wont have to feel awkward just wearing a T-shirt while walking around my dorm room. I wont have to excuse myself from activities because I've had my binder on too long.
I have had asthma my whole life, and since I began to use a binder it has been getting worse every year, no matter how careful I am. I do not keep my binder on longer than recommended, nor is it the wrong size. I cant wait for much longer because this is already impacting my life seriously; I like to casually play sports and I cant keep up with my friends. I get winded going up stairs, and I have both rescue inhaler and a control inhaler, plus a pill to manage my asthma. I would not be able to afford this surgery anytime soon no matter how much I worked without your help.
There is a good surgeon about an hour from where I live who does this surgery in a way that reduces how uncomfortable the recovery will be, and he has a reasonable price.
I would really appreciate even if you donated a small amount or shared with your family or friends. I hope you are doing well, thank you.
I have been on hormone replacement therapy for about one and a half years now, and using a chest binder for 3 years. I have chronic Asthma and using the binder makes it even harder to breathe. That's why it has become clear that I cannot wait to have surgery for much longer - binding is causing me back pain and making it hard for me to exercise.
I have known that I wasn't female for a much longer time than I have been 'out'; I have known since I was a young child that I was uncomfortable with my body, and realized I was most likely transgender when I hit puberty (when my chest came in, I did not feel as happy as I expected to. it made me feel very uncomfortable).
I waited to see if it was just a phase but after about a decade of repression and massive discomfort with my body, it clearly wasn't. I started binding my chest when I was 19. With a flat chest, I felt genuinely attractive for the first time in my life. I felt proud of my appearance, and it felt like some great burden had been lifted off of my chest (pun not intended). About a year later I came out and asked everyone to use he/him pronouns.
When I started HRT (hormone replacement therapy) it was also a profound experience; since then I have finally been able to feel good about my voice and am not as hesitant to speak in public.
I go to counseling currently and just finished up a successful semester at college, going for a biochemistry degree. I have insurance but it will not cover the entire cost of my surgery, or pay for related costs such as the medical supplies I will need during recovery or the time off of work. I can not ask anyone in my life for money, as my parents just make ends meet and such is the same for most of my family.
Having the surgery for me will be a truly life changing experience. I will no longer have back pain, my breathing will greatly improve and I will no longer feel disgusted when I look at my chest. Eventually, I'll be able to go shirtless like any other man, and I wont have to feel awkward while swimming (an activity that I love). I wont have to feel awkward just wearing a T-shirt while walking around my dorm room. I wont have to excuse myself from activities because I've had my binder on too long.
I have had asthma my whole life, and since I began to use a binder it has been getting worse every year, no matter how careful I am. I do not keep my binder on longer than recommended, nor is it the wrong size. I cant wait for much longer because this is already impacting my life seriously; I like to casually play sports and I cant keep up with my friends. I get winded going up stairs, and I have both rescue inhaler and a control inhaler, plus a pill to manage my asthma. I would not be able to afford this surgery anytime soon no matter how much I worked without your help.
There is a good surgeon about an hour from where I live who does this surgery in a way that reduces how uncomfortable the recovery will be, and he has a reasonable price.
I would really appreciate even if you donated a small amount or shared with your family or friends. I hope you are doing well, thank you.
Organizer
Kee Smith
Organizer
Fort Worth, TX