How Old Is Too Old

[Cindy]

Hi,

From the 62 year old Forum Admin! A very happy woman.


Therapy has, I hope, gone to far better places nowadays.

A place to start would be the WPATH providers.

www.wpath.org

Also look at the SOC 7 that is available on the same site as are providers who follow SOC.

AS a n 'oldie' I found therapy very helpful, I had 58 years of baggage to look through and get rid off.

[JoanneB]

As long as you are on the right side of the grass, you are never too old 

I found the best therapy for me comes via my TG support group. I was totally blown my first ever meeting (age 53), sitting there in a room filled with others whose life stories were practically identical to mine. I thought I knew about everything there was about being trans... Everything except the universe of feelings, and non-feelings, that come along with it. They all were instrumental in helping me turn my life around for the better. A few special angels were also there for me when I really needed them.

If you're near or in a big city that is great. Plenty of options. The closest group to me at the time was some 90 miles away. Add another 90 to get to either DC or Pittsburgh for the closest "Big" cities. All groups have personalities. You may have to try a few out before finding one you feel at home in.

As to how to find them? Google is your friend. A good first pass is an LGBT center, followed by some statewide LGBT advocacy group like "Equality (your state). If you are really lucky there may be a Gender Clinic nearby. NYC, Baltimore, Phili, DC all have one, as well as many other big metro cities. Unfortunatly putting "Transgender" or Transsexual" anything into Google tends to yield tons of hookup sites or porn. A few years back when I was "In Search Of" it took about 3 months of searching a few hours every evening after work in an ever widening then targeted cites/towns/counties near my home until I finally hit paydirt with a support group.

Trans friendly therapist can be found via a local TG support network, or Psychology Today has a Doc-Find with a "Gender-Issues" tick box. But beware, many times that gets ticked because they see LG clients and maybe once had a course where they mentioned trans.

Dressing and makeup is much like the old joke of "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?". Practice, Practice, Practice <rimshot>. Thrift stores are a great way to start. At a few $ per item you get to experiment with clothes. Most department stores have private changing rooms. I used to grab up armloads of women stuff and cover it up with a pair of like size 50 mens slacks and head for the men's changing room. Never had a problem.

[Muffinheart]

It is never too late to transition.
I started hormones, therapy and living full time at age 43.
I had surgery at 49, and I'll be 50 next week.
I feel more like 30 than I do 50

[Sheila Grace]

I read the thread from a 40 something wondering if she was too old.  Well I'm 65 and wondering.  I've known I was the wrong gender since I was 8 years old.  At that time transgender wasn't even a word.   I was amazed when I read of Christine Jorgensen's transformation.  I guess I always assumed that it was something only people with lots of money could do so I soldered on and practiced life as I was expected to do.  So here I am, near the end of my life looking at the very big mistake I've made.  Is it too late to correct it and would correcting it actually improve my life?  I have no clue, and having lied to myself for this long I am doubting that a change would do me any good.

Please give me some opinions.  As you can see I've fought with this dilemma for a very long time.  I've covered so many different aspects of the question I'm no longer sure what to even think of it on my own.  At this point I'm leaning towards doing nothing since that is the path of least resistance.

Neonglass- I am 64 and in the first week of HRT. Like you, I can look back on my history and clearly identify points where I knew that something was just not right. I also "soldiered on" and have been provider, father, husband. But, now that I HAVE put it together, and HAVE read the many accounts of amazing women (like us) courageously making choices to honor their own integrity, I have come to realize that mine is the only life that I can save. I have not gone through FFS or SRS yet... but I intend to. And, there are so many people on this board that once on the other side of failed relationships and painful surgeries and loss of family support....still say that they are happy and content and WOULD DO IT AGAIN. I just trust what I know I am, and hold tightly to the  the honest stories of other women who have gone before me to do the hard things that are asking to be done. I do know, in my own case, that if I don't honor that part of me that is so deep and so sacred that my quality and quantity of life will not be sufficient to justify walking away from transitioning. Those are my thoughts at an early point. I hope that you will continue to post and we can dialogue as you move further into this. You are not alone in this journey. Blessings, Sheila Grace

[Sheila Grace]

It is never too late to transition.
I started hormones, therapy and living full time at age 43.
I had surgery at 49, and I'll be 50 next week.
I feel more like 30 than I do 50
[/quote

Muffinheart- Wow, you LOOK 30!!! Gorgeous. Keep it up... Blessings, Sheila

[LoriLorenz]

Very simply, too old is when you're dead!

I'm a paltry 32, but I can testify that being the right and real you is something you can start any time. I also have quite a few friends in the 60s, 70s, and 80s range and they are only as old as they feel! (I, myself, have been 96 years old a couple times for reasons.)

Welcome to the family and may your journey bring you all you deserve.

[stephaniec]

I'm 40 ( all right maybe not 40) you have to do what needs to be done, this is it time is absolutely limited no way around it. Be what you need to be and say goodbye to this planet a happy camper.

[Clarissa]

If it makes anyone feel better, I'm 41 going on 24. LOL =P

It's never too old to start your journey. ;-)

[Muffinheart]

Interesting observation while I was at the recovering centre at Dr. Brassards last year:
The ftm all were under the age of 25 while the mtf were all over 40...one was 65.
I think it when it comes to happiness, age shouldn't be a barrier.

[Ren_Rukachan]

I am 37, and for the first time in my life, I am starting to love myself. I am going to be starting therapy, and hoping that I will start Testosterone therapy soon after. I see posts from people that are under 25, asking if they are too old... What??? But, it is different for people in their 30's and above. We usually have a career, relationships, friends, etc. I work at my local City (for 10 years), and most of the people here have known me since I was a kid because my father worked in the same department for 30 years, retired 10 years ago. Now, that I will transition even more, I am sure the awkwardness is going to come.. especially looking like more of a guy. I am still looked upon as "My father's little girl"... so that is a struggle...

[Emileeeee]

I got started at 40, although it was my second attempt. My first was at 25. I have to tell a lot more people than I would have back then (creditors), but I'm now in the jeans and a t-shirt age group, so I don't have to work as hard on presentation as I would have when I was younger. Good points and bad points.

[Barb99]

I'm 60 and started HRT and transitioning 9 months ago. I just went full time a couple of weeks ago.
Never been happier! It's NEVER to late!

[DiamondBladee]

I personally think there isn't a too old for anything.  You're never too old to make the decision to transition in any way, shape or form.

Also for some reason this reminded me of the TV series "Transparent" from Amazon.

[CarlyMcx]

How does one learn how to do the outward transformation?  Are there classes or workshops, or do you just muddle along and figure out your mistakes as you go?

Mistakes?  You mean like those ten inch high neon pink platform sandals kind of mistakes?  Or the electric blue eye shadow?  Or having to butch up fast for a business meeting and walking in with a huge false eyelash stuck to your cheek?  That's half the fun of transitioning...

[DiamondBladee]

Mistakes?  You mean like those ten inch high neon pink platform sandals kind of mistakes?  Or the electric blue eye shadow?  Or having to butch up fast for a business meeting and walking in with a huge false eyelash stuck to your cheek?  That's half the fun of transitioning...

Hehe, relatable.  Probably not smart of me to leave those breast forms on on accident when I went to Lowes (oops).  At least it was half empty.  Or half full.

[Jamie44]

Hey, I'm 71 and my transition exploded on me at 68 when, all of my life's puzzle pieces finally fit and the light came on. I now totally pass full time and have never been happier!

[Meghan]

I am 56. I recently meet a transwomam, and she ask did I ever cross dressing in the past. While talking about her transition. I realize her story same as my crossdressing experience, and I do some research about transgender. After I take COIGATI test, and result came back with level 5 transexual. I know right away that gender dysphoria have been with me for a long time, and I have been in denial about it. I will see my therapy next week present this result.

Luanne

[michelleh]

Neon glass,

I am 58 years old. I am going to live my life fully with pride as a women for the rest of my life yeeeeeeees!!!! Just think of the possibilities. Middle or old age is not a death sentence it can be another rebirth for you don't buy any negative garbage about being a lady at any age. Have fun and enjoy the process.

Love💕😘
Michelle

[DawnOday]

If you are dead you are too old. Otherwise start living. I am 64 years old myself and have been playing dress up I guess since kindergarten.  Damn I wish I would have come out sooner.  Not out yet but working on it for March. If I am going to be depressed anyway. I might as well enjoy it a little. I would love to be a woman.  I love hanging with women. I love talking babies and family, fashion and being told how they love what each other is wearing. I see this happening at any function I have attended with women. I usually retire to the kitchen with the girls because they are always more interesting than the guys. There is only so much sports you can absorb.

[Anna R]

I read the thread from a 40 something wondering if she was too old.  Well I'm 65 and wondering. 

Please give me some opinions.

Hi, Well I'm 68 and after 3 months  on HRT must say that this should have happened 20 years ago.
One thing that happens is also a mind shift and this is great.
Anna Marie