Jessica's GRS

My name is Jessica, I am a transgender woman living in Wellington. Being unable to afford Genital Reconstructive Surgery/GRS (quoted NZD $15,893 by Chettawut plastic surgery in Thailand on 18/04/2017) is a great obstacle preventing me from having a truly meaningful quality of life. I live honest to myself but my body is still at odds with who I am.

My life is currently devoted towards raising funds for my healthcare; every cent I earn is dedicated to my operation. Unfortunately even working full-time I am capable of very little.

This procedure cannot be performed in New Zealand; surgery is only possible overseas, it is incredibly expensive and there is almost no government funding. The current waiting list for public funding is at least 40 years, meaning I would be in my late sixties before being able to start living as myself. It is also unreasonably difficult to be placed on the waiting list. I am legally female, have been on hormone therapy for three years, have psychiatric approval and am still unsuccessful in gaining placement. The only obstacle is money.

I have set an open goal because the full cost of surgery is too much for me to ask for but this is the unfortunately reality of healthcare for trans people. I need this operation and will work and save as many years as it takes but any donations will only help me live a happy life sooner.

I will pay for the cost of travel and accommodation and food during recovery along with spending as much of my wages as possible towards the procedure itself. I hope to undergo surgery in the second half of 2018 and if I have not met my goal by then through donations and personal investment I will attempt to loan the remainder.

I am no more deserving of charity than any other trans person in the same situation, I am simply coping with my life as best I can and encourage any other trans person to do the same.