I've raised £3500 to to give Cairo his Top Surgery! XD
Organised by Cairo Nevitt
Story
Cairo’s Top Surgery Fund.
My Story
Thank you so much for clicking on my page, If we haven’t meet before; My name is Cairo, I am a transman from London. I have been transitioning from Female to Male (FTM) for the last three years with that I have passed some big mile stones.
(Picture on the left is from: 2015. picture on the right is from: 2018. Almost 2 years on Testosterone. )
Some of you might have seen part of my journey on Channel 4- the Making Of Me. what a journey its been! This Has been a long time coming, and i have been working my hardest to organise and save and prepare for top surgery. I am hand on my heart, ready to take this next step.
For the last 23 months I have been taking monthly Testosterone Injections, and I am noticing incredible changes within my body, voice and how I feel mentally and emotionally. I am more and more happy and content and in-line with who I really am and who I have always been.
I am over the moon with the physical changes testosterone has done for me, the more my body is changing and becoming more masculine, as well as hairy and its making me more conscious of body, in particular my chest.
I really wish I can get top surgery this year as it will be a big relief and free me of my chest dysphoria. Its something I have thought about for the last two and half years and this is the biggest quest of my life to raise these funds, but it something I need to do.any help would be greatly appreciated and make a huge difference for me. I have been documenting my journey this far on my blog: Becoming Cairo: www.becomingcairo.com please feel free to read.
What is top surgery, you ask?
FTM TOP SURGERY: is a gender affirming procedure for transgender men that creates a masculine chest. Top Surgery involves breast removal (Subcutaneous Mastectomy) The goal of chest surgery is to create a contoured, male-looking chest. and may also include free nipple grafts, or nipple/areola resizing and repositioning.
WHY DO I NEED TOP SURGERY?
1. I suffer from dysphoria/ anxiety over about my chest area. My chest can leave me feeling distressed, makes me feel uncomfortable in my own body.
2. Its really awkward, when I go to the gym and can never shower there. which when I am going to work after it just takes twice as long because I have to come all the way home to shower first.
3. I am living and working and socialising as a man, I never leave the house without flatting down my chest. I wear compression sports bras/ vest for over 12 hours + a day. (Which is the best solution I have right now, When you bind for that amount of hours it is painful, I often get neck and shoulder pain, even sharp pains in my sides/ribs.
3. Whenever I shower, or whenever I put on or take off my sports bra/binder I am remind daily that I don’t have a completely flat chest. (and that I have breasts, which just makes me cringe even saying that because that’s how wrong they feel on my body.) I feel restricted, I just want to go swimming/ Or beach or be in a changing room and feel comfortable about that.
4. It is the greatest gift, you could ever give me! I just want to be at ease and comfortable in my own skin & be free.
WHY NOT GET IT ON THE NHS?
There are a few reason why I am not going to get Top Surgery done on the NHS.
1. Because I have been discharged from the NHS pathway, (due to a GP who wouldn’t cooperate with me and let their personal opinions get in the way, of their job.) After a year of being chased by the Gender Clinic my GP failed to complete my referral form, meaning they could never accept me as their patient without a completed referral. I got discharged after a year of being left in limbo.
2. That is the only way to access the NHS pathway. Due to waiting times and being left in limbo, after about 6 months of getting nowhere, I decided to go private. Even though I couldn’t really afford it, it was the best choice I made. (I could appeal, but I would have to go back to square one after waiting a year! and due to the backlog of people and limited resources, I would still be looking a 2-3 years waiting list for top surgery.) Which is a very long time and is why I have turned to crowd funding...
Top surgery has a 95% satisfaction rate; where people are genuinely happier afterwards, because it relives dysphoria. *
WHERE WILL HAVE TOP SURGERY?
After a two years of researching and much thought I have decided that I would like to travel to Cleverland Ohio, because Dr. Daniel Medalie is the surgeon I most trust and would like to perform my top surgery.
This isn’t something I take lightly and it’s a one-time thing. This will last a life time, I want to know I am in good hands and with the right surgeon.
Guess What? GOOD NEWS; ITS A MIRACLE!
I am blessed beyond words!! Thanks to Point Of Pride: I have been sponsored by the surgeon I wanted and Dr. Medalie. I have been Awarded $2,500.
You can read full story of there blog: https://pointofpride.org/additional-2018-annual-transgender-surgery-fund-recipient-congratulations-cairo/
We were touched by Cairo’s application – like so many of our applicants, he has struggled financially to be able to afford medical transition, and has dealt with uninformed and un-affirming health care providers along the way. He shared that he does not pass consistently and how he has concerns about his safety when in male-only spaces. His desire to provide visibility for other mixed race and trans people of color, however, was especially compelling. Cairo is an active volunteer and visible advocate for our community. As an actor and spoken word artist, he is involved with a number of creative projects within the LGBT community, including mentoring teenage youth, working with a local charity that challenges transphobia, homophobia, and bullying in schools, and participating in a documentary about trans topics and issues - Point of Pride Board
WHAT THE FUNDS COVER:
All the funds will directly towards the cost of the surgery:
* $7370 for the procedure: This includes all fees- anesthesia, facility, surgeon. Plus $65 consultation fee+ recommended Doctors Letter.
**This Does Not Include The Cost of flights /Accommodation. me and my girlfriend have been saving for that**
Original ORIGINAL TARGET: £5,650.
However since I have been blessed with this award! and together with your kind donations:
The Current Goal is: £900.
It would be wonderful for Cairo to have his top surgery as this is the next step forward in his ongoing journey finding his true self. Cairo is so inspiring for the young trans community & everybody he meets in his daily life. He will always strive to be a great role model, be a positive force in the world and continue to make me (His mum) very proud to have been blessed with such an amazing son! – Mama Bella
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE:
Due to the nature of the funding criteria: I have to have my surgery done within a certain time frame; If not my award will be awarded to someone else! Deadline: June 2019.
So please keep Sharing! I love you all, I believe in miracles, spent most my life living on a wing and prayer. We are getting closer. We can do this!
With All My Love,
Cairo X
My Links:
Twitter: @Cairo_Leon & Instagram: Cairo_ Leon Youtube: Cairo Leon.
