This is really hard to share, I avoided doing so for a while.. it makes me feel like the most vile heartless parent...but this is such an eye opener and I hope it does just that, opens some eyes. The whole point of being so candid with our journey is to raise awareness, to educate. So if my discomfort does just that, then here it is 🤷🏻‍♀️

Looking back at old pictures... How did I ignore the absence of a real smile? Breaks my heart that I was behind the camera and yet I was missing it. Some of those photos, building a snowman, putting out reindeer food, christmas eve, first day of school, playing in water out in the sun.... How did I not feel the absence of that beaming carefree childs smile? I can't look at old pictures anymore, because now it jumps right out at me. Such a long period of time where genuine smiles in pictures are so limited. Not to say there weren't any, smiling at loved ones or finding something funny... but not smiling at life. Not smiling in those moments that usually hold the most joy for a child.

Its amazing how blind denial can make you.

But then on the right... Piles and piles of the most beautiful smile, and plenty more where that came from. I thank god that we've been able to make life, life again. To make childhood, childhood again. To bring back carefree. To bring back joy.

Even if you don't understand why...nobody can deny the smile and joy of a child, and no parent can deny that they would do anything to see that smile, to take away their childs sadness and to just let them be kids.

🧜🏼‍♀️❤

I am raising money to help raise awareness and fund support and training in our local community, particularly to provide schools and childcare settings the training and information they need to make sure any child like mine can transition in the easiest and least straining way, so that they can be empowered and be given back their spark and confidence that so many children have lost pre-transition. Any donation big or small will help children like mine to be who they are and be supported in the right way.

Thank you to all those who donate for your kindness ❤