It's March the 1st tomorrow and it's a date which always gets me excited. It is of course the month of my birthday. I've always loved birthdays because it's a day which I can truly call my own. Regardless of anything that happens throughout the year, March the 15th is my day and that will never change as long as I live. Over recent years though, March has become a truly magical month for me. It's a month in which good things happen. Let me explain.....
My First Time Out As Emma
On March the 19th 2008 I went up to Manchester for my first ever time out as Emma. As far as momentus days go this has to be right up there at the top. I can still remember pretty much every aspect of that night right down to the taste of the Salmon I had for my meal. It reaffirmed for me most of what I was going through. I felt right and I felt amongst friends. That night was the first time I'd ever (knowingly) met anyone like me and for the first time in my life I felt like I fitted in.
My First G.I.C. Appointment
I recieved my appointment letter on the 7th January 2010. My appointment was on the 3rd March that same year and that is what started everything for me. Without that appointment then I'm not sure I'd be here today because attending the GIC allowed me to start transition when I did. I attended Nottingham G.I.C. and I have nothing but great things to say about the services (both medical and psychological) that I recieved while under their care.
My G.R.S.
On the 25th March 2013, at aproximately 4pm I underwent Gender Reassignment Surgery at Charing Cross Hospital in London under the care of Mr James Bellringer. As far as events go, that has got to be the biggest. I'm coming up to a year post-op and I still have no regrets what so-ever. My recover was hard but I'm fully recovered now and pretty much loving life.
My G.R.C.
On March 10th 2014 my application for my Gender Recognition Certificate will go before the Gender Recognition Panel in Leicester. Getting my G.R.C. is something I've only really thought about recently and once upon a time I wasn't really that bothered about it. I'm female, I know I'm female and I don't need a piece of paper to prove that. Recently though getting my G.R.C. has gained a huge importance. Looking at my birth certificate I see the word MALE and I don't want that. I want one with FEMALE on it.
So, Magic March is my month pretty much. Hopefully, as regards to my G.R.C., this year will follow that trend. Also with the prospect of romance in the air (the psychic did say I'd meet someone) March could be even more magical than ever!
Friday, 28 February 2014
Monday, 10 February 2014
The Question That Lasted Five Years
A friend of mine, someone I've known for nearly five years, has recently jetted off to Thailand for her GRS surgery. It's really got me thinking because looking back, when we met, did either of us ever think we'd both end up post-op. The reason I'm saying this is that when we met a question was asked.
Basically it was July 2009. I had recently 'come out' to my parents and I'd begun seeing a councillor to discuss my gender concerns. One Thursday night I decided to visit a Nottingham based trans support group called the Nottingham Chameleons. As it was my first visit I was looked after by a T-Girl called Lynn. She was lovely and I still read her blog, Y.A.T.G.B. Anyway, another girl I met that night was perhaps the only girl who was anywhere close to my age and she was called Samantha. I can remember being struck with how convincing she looked and at first I thought she was a genetic female. Anyway, the three of us chatted and a question was asked that went along the lines of 'Will you ever go full-time and have the op?'. Lynn was a no go from what I can remember and Samantha agreed in the fact that it would be a deal-breaker as far as their respective relationships were concerned. I said that I thought I would but even I wasn't sure whether it would be possible or not.
Fast forward nearly five years and I'm coming up to a year post-op and Samantha is in Thailand! It just goes to show that you should never say never! Although we have similar themes to our respective transitions we have different stories to tell. I went the NHS route and although it's a route that worked for me, I would've gone private had I been able to afford it. Saying that, I've had it pretty good on our National Health Service and so I shouldn't be ungrateful. I've had Gender Realignment Surgery, Breast Augmentation Surgery as well as as much support, advice and counselling as I've needed. Also, thinking about it constructively, I'm not sure that I would've been comfortable undergoing such a life changing surgery in a different continent. I got homesick in London for crying out loud! Transition isn't a one size fits all thing though and I'm not sure I could imagine Sam in the bowels of Charing Cross Hospital on F-Bay!
I can't tell you how excited and pleased for her I am though. GRS is a truly magical and life-affirming experience. It changes you, changes how you see certain things. I would go through it all again if I had too. Saying that I'm not sure I fancy the recovery again, that was hard.
Basically it was July 2009. I had recently 'come out' to my parents and I'd begun seeing a councillor to discuss my gender concerns. One Thursday night I decided to visit a Nottingham based trans support group called the Nottingham Chameleons. As it was my first visit I was looked after by a T-Girl called Lynn. She was lovely and I still read her blog, Y.A.T.G.B. Anyway, another girl I met that night was perhaps the only girl who was anywhere close to my age and she was called Samantha. I can remember being struck with how convincing she looked and at first I thought she was a genetic female. Anyway, the three of us chatted and a question was asked that went along the lines of 'Will you ever go full-time and have the op?'. Lynn was a no go from what I can remember and Samantha agreed in the fact that it would be a deal-breaker as far as their respective relationships were concerned. I said that I thought I would but even I wasn't sure whether it would be possible or not.
Fast forward nearly five years and I'm coming up to a year post-op and Samantha is in Thailand! It just goes to show that you should never say never! Although we have similar themes to our respective transitions we have different stories to tell. I went the NHS route and although it's a route that worked for me, I would've gone private had I been able to afford it. Saying that, I've had it pretty good on our National Health Service and so I shouldn't be ungrateful. I've had Gender Realignment Surgery, Breast Augmentation Surgery as well as as much support, advice and counselling as I've needed. Also, thinking about it constructively, I'm not sure that I would've been comfortable undergoing such a life changing surgery in a different continent. I got homesick in London for crying out loud! Transition isn't a one size fits all thing though and I'm not sure I could imagine Sam in the bowels of Charing Cross Hospital on F-Bay!
I can't tell you how excited and pleased for her I am though. GRS is a truly magical and life-affirming experience. It changes you, changes how you see certain things. I would go through it all again if I had too. Saying that I'm not sure I fancy the recovery again, that was hard.
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