Karin
wrote her first post in 2010. In that post, she commented on her first
attempt to transition in the early 1990's. She was just out of college
and in good shape to transition. She found a therapist and began
hormone replacement therapy. Karin failed (her words) the transition process and now, 20 years later, she has a wife, children, mortgage, etc.
In December, 2013, Karin said in her blog:
I don't know how much longer Karin will be contained inside her self-imposed containment center (ie. jail).
Sound familiar? I'm sure it does to some of you.
A couple of weeks ago, Karin said she was going to begin therapy and asked for comments from anyone who has entered into therapy for transgender issues.
She had one reply....Cassidy.
Karin has since had her first appointment with her therapist. She shares her experience and ends with this comment:
p.s. A very small thing, but when the therapist came out into the waiting area (I was the only one there) and said, "Karin? Please come in" - my chest totally welled-up for a second. It felt wonderful to be called MY name. : )
I'm sure many of you can relate to Karin in one way or another. I know I can.
Her blog is I'm Just A Girl (I Think)
Go here for her first post.
Karin's December, 2013 post is titled, Introspection at the Crossroads. In this post, she asks for comments on coming out to children.
Therapy...Trans Advice Desperately Needed is Karin's post asking for comments on working with a therapist.
I (Heart) Therapy is Karin's post relating her first day experience with therapy.
In my five years online the saddest thing has been the silence of fellow sufferers! Writing a Blog is a lonely soul searching enterprise and without the support of dialogue through the comments none of us move forward or gain as much as we dearly hope to.
ReplyDeleteAn active Blog environment is a free therapy course and it is a tragedy that over five years I have watched the activity decline as the needs of so many have grown. I feel too many have forsaken a worthy tool for the casual flippancy of social media sites and this is a great loss to those seeking help...
Lovely comment, Caroline!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Caroline. The blogs that I have read over these past years have given me so much in the way of hope. Being able to read and really consider someone else's perspective on their life as a Transgendered person and find similarities to my situation has educated me and given me confidence to keep inching forward.
ReplyDeleteWhile I enjoy watching some of the MTF or FTM video blogs on Youtube, nothing beats the written (or typed-in) word and helping one focus on another person's experience. Simply for me, just being able to correspond with other MTF bloggers on both sides of the Pond has helped me so much. The trials and tribulations of many of my U.K. sisters in dealing with their National Healthcare System has enlightened me to what life is like when beginning transition without hormones; the pitfalls of media scrutiny and exploitation; and in the case of more than a few like Caroline, Lucy and Jenny Alto - transitioning in your local city or small hometown - instead of moving away to somewhere bigger and more anonymous. I am an American and I will have a different course in many ways, but I can completely relate and take lessons from their unique experiences. And I am very thankful for that. : )
I'm all for an active Blogging environment! Thank you for engaging me Ladies and a Special Thanks to Calie for inspiring me to blog early on and for now, posting my Blog here. It is an honor...
Best,
Karin