In the past, whether it's been here or on some other forum, I have talked about how trans* men who are post transition tend to fall off the face of the virtual planet. They stop posting as regularly on forums or stop updating their blogs as much. I've become one of those people that I was frustrated with in the past. I was frustrated that those individuals weren't able to make themselves as available to be the ones with the experience to answer the questions that many *new* trans people have. That those who had experienced surgeries or the process in which to acquire surgeries weren't out there sharing those experiences whether in blog form or in actual responses to posts on the multitude of forums where these kinds of answers are posted.
The lack of post transition / transition experienced input leads to a lot of inexperienced people continuing to further misinformation heard through a really horrible game of broken telephone that happens to be the internet, especially in regards to transition.
When I first started my journey towards where I am today I could not find any independent information from any experienced individuals about what my process with CAMH might look like. All I heard were horrible things about how brutal the questioning is and how it would be easier, even given low to no income, to attempt to beg, borrow or steal the $7,000 - $10,000 it might cost to get top surgery. Me being the stingy jerk that I am decided that regardless of how some psychologist treated me that I would make it through the process and get the coverage I need, go where I had to, no matter how horrible the surgery might turn out aesthetically (because, again, all I'd heard were horrible things about Dr. Brassard's clinic in Montreal)
It's easier now for me to understand how this happens. Transition has become a very small part of my life. It's not something that is constantly at the front of my mind or something that I'm currently working towards. There are still steps in the process that I may move forward with but for now I'm ready to put transition aside and just live life. There are still struggles in life because of my transition. Things that I can't get away from and that prove that transition isn't just something that is all of a sudden over and never has an impact any more. There are things that I could share in relation to being a transgender person. Things like the difficulties or intricacies of dating, dealing with individuals such as my children's school administration, my lawyer and the lawyers of other parties, friends, both "pre" and post transition and how editing my past can be toxic or how those with the best intentions can hurt the most when they slip up.
There are a few reasons I tend not to share these things. I don't feel like my experience is the be all and end all of experiences in these areas. The 'audience' to which I have been attempting to direct my blog may not find the information useful and may end up having to sift through it to find what they are looking for. Each of the things I mentioned above tends to involve other independent parties who I can not speak for and who I wouldn't want to try to speak for. I have a separate journal for my own personal ramblings.
I know that a lot of the people that actually read this blog are friends of mine in real life and that they read it to keep up with me and show support. For any others out there that are reading this I'd like to know what you would find interesting or informational. Would you like to read about seemingly day to day activities that can be influenced simply by being trans* is there something that you're specifically looking for knowing more about from an individuals perspective?
The lack of post transition / transition experienced input leads to a lot of inexperienced people continuing to further misinformation heard through a really horrible game of broken telephone that happens to be the internet, especially in regards to transition.
When I first started my journey towards where I am today I could not find any independent information from any experienced individuals about what my process with CAMH might look like. All I heard were horrible things about how brutal the questioning is and how it would be easier, even given low to no income, to attempt to beg, borrow or steal the $7,000 - $10,000 it might cost to get top surgery. Me being the stingy jerk that I am decided that regardless of how some psychologist treated me that I would make it through the process and get the coverage I need, go where I had to, no matter how horrible the surgery might turn out aesthetically (because, again, all I'd heard were horrible things about Dr. Brassard's clinic in Montreal)
It's easier now for me to understand how this happens. Transition has become a very small part of my life. It's not something that is constantly at the front of my mind or something that I'm currently working towards. There are still steps in the process that I may move forward with but for now I'm ready to put transition aside and just live life. There are still struggles in life because of my transition. Things that I can't get away from and that prove that transition isn't just something that is all of a sudden over and never has an impact any more. There are things that I could share in relation to being a transgender person. Things like the difficulties or intricacies of dating, dealing with individuals such as my children's school administration, my lawyer and the lawyers of other parties, friends, both "pre" and post transition and how editing my past can be toxic or how those with the best intentions can hurt the most when they slip up.
There are a few reasons I tend not to share these things. I don't feel like my experience is the be all and end all of experiences in these areas. The 'audience' to which I have been attempting to direct my blog may not find the information useful and may end up having to sift through it to find what they are looking for. Each of the things I mentioned above tends to involve other independent parties who I can not speak for and who I wouldn't want to try to speak for. I have a separate journal for my own personal ramblings.
I know that a lot of the people that actually read this blog are friends of mine in real life and that they read it to keep up with me and show support. For any others out there that are reading this I'd like to know what you would find interesting or informational. Would you like to read about seemingly day to day activities that can be influenced simply by being trans* is there something that you're specifically looking for knowing more about from an individuals perspective?
