I remember when I received the call from the Jim Collins Foundation. I remember sitting in my car and crying my eyes out, calling my closest people to share the good news. I remember all twenty-eight years of my life replaying in my head as I reflected on the fact that I was finally here. Although I’ve desired surgery since childhood, it always felt like more of an unattainable dream than an actual event that I would get to experience. The Jim Collins Foundation changed that for me. Winning this scholarship made every previous defeat feel worth it. It made my five-year transition journey … [Read more...]

I have a strange fondness for my story, when I realized that I was transgender. I was around 12 or 13. I have always had a powerful love for reading – and funnily enough that’s how I learned who I am. Reading a story online, I left a comment, “Sometimes I feel like I’m a gay guy stuck in a girl’s body.” It was a strange statement, so I decided to research if it was a thing. The term ‘transgender’ popped up, and the definition hit me hard. That was it! In elementary school, I wore dresses every day. Even though it interfered during recess, I did it because I thought that’s what girls were … [Read more...]

Thank you seems like such an inadequate way to express my gratitude towards the Jim Collins Foundation. The transgender community is fortunate to have the Jim Collins Foundation. Something like this is a dream come true and will improve my quality of life in ways I can’t even imagine. Amidst so much uncertainty in the world, this peace of mind has been invaluable. I’m looking forward to giving back to my community and this foundation so that I can be a part of someone else experiencing this transformative opportunity.       I am humbled that my story and my needs have been seen by such a … [Read more...]

For as long as I could remember I have dreamed of one day having top surgery, and it is finally going to happen! For this amazing foundation to help individuals like me to be able to achieve their dreams is indescribable. I have tried for years to achieve my own dream, from working multiple jobs to performing at local bars to raise money, and yet I have always come up short. Living in a body that doesn’t feel like your own is frustrating, scary, and extremely depressing. Receiving this grant feels like I am finally getting a chance to live my life in my true body. It means going on family … [Read more...]

Growing up, sexuality and gender wasn’t something I thought about. In fact, I made sure I never thought about it. My Catholic upbringing meant I was deathly afraid of sin, and I thought being anything but cis and straight was a one-way ticket to hell. I was determined to be as “holy” as I could be, and being queer wasn’t a part of that plan. When my faith faded away at the end of high school, I realized I was free to explore my identity in a way I hadn’t before. I didn’t have to police my own thoughts. Looking back, I’m almost surprised at how headfirst I dove into the queer community. Within … [Read more...]

“Patience is a virtue.” I utter this phrase to my son at least 4 to 5 times a week. Patience is something that I know a lot about. At this time, 5 years ago, my son and I were homeless. He was getting ready to start Kindergarten in the fall and we had no place to live. I was working 7 days a week at 2 jobs and each time I applied for an apartment they told me, “You need to make more money.” I remember the day my patience broke. My son and I were sitting in the motel room I had rented, it was cold and raining and he snuggled up under my arm and told me it was fun living in a motel. But it … [Read more...]

I’m here today only because others have been by my side. The greatest indebtedness I hold in my heart is to the teachers who always went beyond the call of duty to support me outside of the classroom. By extending a helping hand during dark times, and encouraging my growth, they helped me to remember a purpose, and to forge my own path. I’m also grateful to the transgender clinic at Cincinnati Children’s for its dedication to service, providing the resources necessary for me to heal and be myself. Last but not least, I’m grateful to my family and friends for being there for me every step of … [Read more...]