- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Elliott Lee-Mook hasn't added a story.
Hi folks!!
My name's Elliott and I'm a queer trans man or female-to-male (FTM) transgender person of colour (POC). I'm looking to raise money for top surgery (mastectomy with chest masculinization) as my chest is a big part of my dysphoria (referencing emotional turmoil and discomfort due to my body/sex) and prolonged binding has caused rib and lung issues. As the total amount I need is $8,000, I'm looking for an ideal of at least $4,000 to help support my surgery and sex designation marker change. Any funds raised extra will also help towards these means (it would certainly help me make the money faster) and also towards after care after my surgery.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I originally tried to go through CAMH (Centre for Addictions & Mental Health) with their Adult Gender Identity Clinic but their attitudes and services were far less than friendly-- especially considering that they were forcing a family meeting, despite the fact that I am over 18, before I would be able to properly access their services. My immediate family is tolerant, at best, concerning my gender identity, but every time that I have expressed seeking services outside of CAMH, they have pushed for me to continue with CAMH as my services would be covered by OHIP--not understanding how transphobic and damaging CAMH's services are to my emotional and mental well-being.
As such, for my health and for a less stressful transition, I've decided to seek health care outside of CAMH, and this is where the problem arises. I should be fine in terms of hormone replacement treatment due to insurance, but top surgery will cost me about $8,000.
I attend university full-time, and despite my part-time job, I'm moving out come the fall so I can transition in a safe and accepting environment, but a lot of the money that I'll be making will be going to rent, food and transportation. I will be receiving some help from my family for those costs, but my parents have already expressed that top surgery is not a priority and have not made any committments towards being able to help or not. While I certainly appreciate the efforts of my family to help me through my education, I stress that I am not cisgender, therefore, I do not have the luxury of not experiencing gender dysphoria. My transition is a priority in order to maintain my emotional, mental, and physical well-being. I cannot wait forever for my transition to begin. I've waited two years already and the stagnant state I've been in throughout those years, waiting for access to health care that should be a basic right, have caught me in and out of depression and anxiety.
I hope that you can help by donating however much you feel that you can towards helping me get this surgery done. Every dollar counts. The total cost of the surgery will be $7,910, but I'm also looking to change my sex designation on my documents which will be around $100, so in total, I'm looking to have $8,000 by next June. However, through this fund raiser, I'm only seeking to cover half-- so $4,000-- as an ideal. While I hope I can raise this much at least, I'm genuinely appreciative of every person who is able to donate even a dollar to help me receive this surgery.
I'll be including some perks that are optional, but if I am unable to give you the perks in person, you must feel comfortable giving me your mailing address.
Thank you very much to each and every person who has supported me throughout my transition, and who will continue to support me in the future. You are very dear and close to my heart. Much love. x
[NOTE:Some perks have been donated
by various friends and folks wishing to help out! Unless stated
otherwise, these perks are limited to ONE (1) only, and as such, we
would prefer if these perks could be given in person either by myself
or by the person who is donating the perk to the fundraiser. If the
perk is digital, you must feel comfortable giving us your email
address.
If you would like to donate a perk to help out, feel
free to contact me and we can chat it out! :) Thank you very much to
all the folks helping out!]
UPDATE (01/14/2015): Thank you so much to everyone who's donated/shared this fundraiser so far!! I meant to update earlier but I wasn't sure how to go about doing it. I just wanted to say really that as of today, I've been on testosterone for almost 15 weeks. I am extremely grateful for the coverage I am receiving in order to access T. It certainly took a while, but it's definitely something that I'm really happy about. I really appreciate all the support I've gotten and all the kind words that folks have said to me. You are all really wonderful and it helps so, so much.
Perks
- 1 claimed
WOW THANK YOU! If you're able to donate this much, I'll make you a hand-knitted scarf in stockinette stitch of your choice of colour that is around 5'0" in length! You will be messaged so we can plan details. (Please excuse the silly picture.) You will also get a handwritten thank you letter. As this will take a while to knit, I will keep you updated on it's progress/we can come up with a deadline together.
Highlights
See all activity40Activity
- 1 claimed
WOW THANK YOU! If you're able to donate this much, I'll make you a hand-knitted scarf in stockinette stitch of your choice of colour that is around 5'0" in length! You will be messaged so we can plan details. (Please excuse the silly picture.) You will also get a handwritten thank you letter. As this will take a while to knit, I will keep you updated on it's progress/we can come up with a deadline together.
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.