Hi I'm Twyla

[Rowan Rue]

Hi everyone,
My name is Twyla, I'm 32 and just came out to my wife and a few friends last weekend which has been pretty emotional ^.^;
So far everyone I've told has been super supportive although perhaps a little confused, which is why I'm here I guess.  Finding an "in person group" where I live is a little daunting, and while I've been very gregarious as a boy, I'm feeling pretty shy as a girl o.O

No hormones yet, need to find a therapist and get things started.  I'm already scared that I'm starting to late and finding the money for this is going to be sooooo hard :/  Oh well, where there's a will...
Plus side, I'm self employed as a fashion designer so I don't have any problems finding clothes that fit, and my boss is cool with me transitioning 

[Jamie D]

Hello Twyla.  Cool name.

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We have a support group board.  As you get more posts, aspects of the site, such as personal messaging, will open up.  You will then be able to make more contacts.

A good starting point for finding a gender therapist is the Psychology Today website.

[justmeinoz]

Hello and welcome. 
Don't worry about age, I am 58 and there are lots of us who took a long time to get out of jail.
Fashion design? Lucky you. 

Karen.

[Rowan Rue]

Thanks Jamie, thanks Karen!

I looked at the Psychology Today site and was wondering, do you have to see a Psychiatrist (i.e an actual MD) for a referral letter or can one be written by a therapist/psychiatric nurse etc.?

Thanks again for taking the time to welcome me ^.^

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi Twyla,

Welcome to our little family. Over 8132 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.


Janet 

[Devlyn]

Hi Twyla, welcome from a hot, humid Boston! You've been listening to those whippersnappers again, haven't you? Thirty two is young! You're in your prime. See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn

[Rowan Rue]

Thanks Devlyn!
I'm already feeling a lot more confident about things since reading through a bunch of threads here.  In fact, I went out in public for the first time yesterday!   

[Devlyn]

Yay! We love hearing about milestones. Good news is good for sharing! Hugs, Devlyn

[gennee]

Welcome to Susan's, Twyla. Congrats to you on going out in public.

[ShaunaNinjagirl]

Hi Twyla, I started my transition at 27 years old, I am 39 now. I am from Canada and things may be different where you are but I can give you some pointers that helped me.
I had to see a doctor to give me a referral to see a psychiatrist that specialized in gender identity issues. My psychiatrist after a certain length of time gave me a referral to see a endocrinologist for hormones.
Now I was lucky, the psychiatrist was so backlogged I was told I would have to wait a year before I got my first appointment - but I begged and pleaded and they must have taken pity because I got my appointment in two months due to a cancellation.
Now you are required to live as a woman for a certain length of time before they can even give you hormones, I forget how long, like 1 or two years. When I got my appointment I went as a girl not as a boy, and I lied. I said I lived as a woman for two years already. Not good to lie but I got a endocrinologist referral 3 months later. A poor soul I met in the waiting room went to her first appointment dressed as a boy and not a girl - well she had to wait a long long long time before she got hormones. You will have to jump through some hoops before you get your HRT. I wish you luck.