So Much To Learn!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
What a whirlwind month this has been!!!!!!!!!!!! First, I went to Atlanta, Georgia to attend The Southern Comfort Conference and then I traveled to Denver, Colorado to attend the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association conference. This all happened in the month of September! So much to learn, so little time! I met the most amazing people at both events and feel so much more qualified to work with the transgender community. It has always been a goal to “do no harm” but without great mentors I believe “you don’t know what it is you don’t know,” until you learn otherwise. I actually got to watch a video made by Dr. Marci L. Bowers that showed a case of SRS (MTF) that she completed in an hour. Being a non-surgical person, I thought this would be too much to handle, but I decided to stay as long as I could. Not only did I watch the entire surgery, I was enthralled by it. How amazing to give a person the opportunity to live in the body she feels is the only right one. Dr. Bowers has such a passion about what she does, it’s not hard to see why she enjoys sharing her procedure with others. Another person I am honored to say I got to know a little better is Mara Keisling, the Executive Director of the National Center for TransGender Equality. I first heard her speak at the WPATH ( World Professional Association for Transgender Health) Conference in Oakland, California recently. She is such a fighter for the equal rights that the transgender community not only deserves, but is a given right to all in this country of equality and liberty for all! As I moved through my journey into the transgendered community, I was struck with awe and amazement at the strength and courage they demonstrated and the need for that sense of community to help with their struggles. Having said that, I learned this week that the struggle was too much for one of the attendees of Southern Comfort. She committed suicide. That is why it is so important to find a trusted person to listen unconditionally in a supportive environment. You don’t have to do this alone! Reach out to those who care!