Hi everybody. We're getting down to the wire. My surgery is in only about 6 weeks. Unfortunately my fundraiser isn't doing as well as I would have hoped, so I thought I would fill y'all in more about why this is so important to me.
Not too long ago I was doing great. Insurance paid for my reassignment procedure, and I was married to a great guy and had a nice home in Portland, Oregon. Sadly, my husband developed some serious mental health issues and became horribly abusive. He drained our finances, ruined our credit, and ultimately abandoned me with no money and a broken heart. The only time I hear from the once sweet and loving man I married, these days, is when he sends abusive tests threatening to cut off the small amount of spousal support the courts awarded me. Overnight, the wonderful life I had built for myself was gone. Sadly, I am likely going to have to leave my home and the city I love so much and return to my Southern hometown to live with family until I can start the long process of healing and putting my life back on track.
My voice is the one thing that continues to "out" me, and the one thing I need to correct before I can truly move on. I've had voice lessons and vocal therapy, but it's not sustainable and nowhere near the permanent results surgery offers. Also, my Southern hometown was nowhere near as accepting as my Portland home has been. In some cases, being "outed" can mean the difference between life and death. I just don't want that thought looming over my head on top of all the adversity I have already faced. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I just want to be known for being "me" and the woman I am....without the questions that get raised when your voice doesn't match the way you look. I love being unique, but let people notice first my love of owls, and gardening, and baking....anything other than "Gee, why does that woman have such a deep voice?
Please help out. I know it's a lot to ask and that many of us are struggling, but if everybody helped out, it wouldn't take too long before I would have the funds to make this, my one final dream in Portland, come true.