Sarah B's Story

[Sarah B]

Hi Lori

Thank you for your enlightening reply, however in response EEWWW Demoncrap!  Just kidding, not.  You have no argument with me on your rights to bear arms, sister!

I know that both parties, if there are two parties (read uniparty) are as bad as one and another.  In regards to Rod Blagojevich, I'm afraid I have not heard of him.  I tend to keep abreast of the corruption that is in American politics or as you may of heard or come across "the Deep State" and few well known politicians.

Trump, yes is a great businessman and you are right he is the one that sorted out the economy when he was president and I was going to say in my previous post he is not perfect.  However, under Biden (read puppet and he has dementia, even blind Freddy can see that), they are deliberately ruining the country and the powers be (read elite) do not want Trump back in power.

I have not read his book, "The Art of the Deal", in a sense I should do so.  You are correct there is deep seated corruption on both sides.  As I have said the politics in regards to 'transgendered' issues is totally wrong, no matter who's side you are on.

The article that Jessica Rose posted in regards to  Trans military group sues Veterans Affairs to pay for gender-affirming surgeries is the way to go, you basically sue the government department (which is hard) and the individual (more often than not they are not medical doctors) for causing you 'harm'. 

This is what is needed in the case of the CASS report by Dr Hilary.  It's a 'review' not based on any solid scientific method, so people should sue the individuals responsible for causing any harm to those individuals involved.

I will never ever support anybody that interferes with human beings in achieving what they want in life, unless it interferes with my 'pursuit of happiness'.  I will also do what I can to stop those persons, no matter where they come from.

Your "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" in your constitution should apply to everyone, everywhere.

Yes Forrest Gump also said; "My mama always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get'".  (my emphasis).

I agree with you on, "we can agree to disagree", not there is anything much to disagree with in these couple of posts.

Take care of yourself and 'You go girl', my 'Tag Team' Sister!

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter
@LoriDee

[Sarah B]

Hi Everyone

Those of you who have been following my postings and Sarah's Story, you will have come across the following or something similar "I'm extremely private person, quite and shy," and I will go out of my way if I can to keep my privacy in regards to my 'medical condition", private.

This is just one way on how I deal with my privacy, the following message is the result of a link sent to me via my phone (cell).  The web page message below is, virtually verbatim;

Hi Sarah, our hospital has you listed for a procedure as requested by your GP in the near future. An essential part of preparing you involves completing this short health questionnaire. We need this to progress your booking, also it may help avoid a lengthy appointment at the hospital.

To get started, ensure you are somewhere you can take the 5 minutes to completes the questionnaire.  Completing the questionnaire may prevent us needing to call you and conduct a more lengthy assessment over the phone.  Please call us should you have any questions, otherwise we look forward to receiving your assessment.

So I click on the link,  I have modified the following statement to remove identifying information and I get the following;

Privacy statement regarding your personal information.

Personal information provided by you is protected in accordance with the "Information Privacy Acts" in the State of Queensland, (where I live).  Your personal information will be used by authorised officers of the department of health in providing appropriate care to you.  Information you provide to access the Office 365 service, including your personal information, will be transferred to cloud based servers in the USA and tools within the Microsoft Office before being printed and placed in your health record.

Please select one of the following to agree to the privacy statement:

• Yes
• No

I wonder what I choose?  That's right after 35 years, my privacy is still paramount so I selected NO.  Why? Stored in cloud base servers, stored in the USA and stored using a Microsoft product.  No way am I going to have personal information stored in the computer system, when it will end up in my personal file anyway.  I sceptical of computer system security, because recent events in Australia like the Medicare,  Optus breaches and where I used to work was hacked.

I received a phone call and provided answers to the questions they asked and I reiterated the information provided, is not to be stored in the computer system.

I keep my privacy private, in other words I do not tell any government department about my 'medical condition' and that includes 'doctors' or any organization as well, except for the few doctors that I have revealed my condition to recently, I emphasize that it is not to be recorded in their computer systems as far as possible.  This ensures I have no hassles whatsoever.

Lets take a step back in time, to when, I changed my life around and the story goes like this, which if you have been following Sarah's Story or posts you would have read about the following;

I legally changed my name over 35 years ago and all forms ever since then.  I have always used my legal name and I have never put down my previous name if it was asked on those forms.  Regardless of any consequences or not.  To give you an indication of what I will do and how strongly I feel in protecting myself, here is a little story.

Approximately three months after changing my name and other certain documents.  I attended my first visit to my psychiatrist and my health care card still had my previous name on it (it took some time for new cards to be issued).  I handed it over and my name was recorded on a patient card and I asked that it not be done.  The receptionist replied it was only temporary until I got my new health care card.  I did not contest it and I understood the reason for it being put down, yes my appointment was in my legal name.

Anyway the receptionist went away and my patient card was still on the desk, I was still thinking how can I get rid of my previous name on it.  I picked the card up and noticed my name was written in pencil, I saw a rubber on the desk and proceeded to erase my previous name very thoroughly.  I then replaced the card back on the desk.  A little while later I went into my consultation and as they say the rest is history.

and another

How did I get around my previous job without any references?  My first job, I was hired as a contractor and I informed the personal consultant about myself and my references. I did not reveal my previous name.  This all occurred on a landline phone and I have realised that is one of the few times in my personal history that I have outed myself.

He found work for me, never saw me and did not know my previous name, and he said not to worry about those references.  After that first job I had my new references and other previous references. I just listed 'available on request'.  Anyway that was a life time ago and I'm now in a completely different profession.

The reason why I have never had any problems per se was because I changed my name and documents as quickly as I could. I did not really have a paper trail prior to changing my name legally, so this helped me immensely.

So when the proverbial question; "previous name?" or "have you been known by a previous name?" arises, I will leave the space empty, tick no, or I do not fill in that question.  This is what I will do.  I consider that if I can get away with it after weighing up the various issues and ramifications involved that I had a previous name,  I will do so.  In fact I have never filled or answered that particular question.  The only two exceptions are obtaining my British passport and my Australian Citizenship Certificate.

These days, its a non issue because the sands of time have forever buried or destroyed, virtually all of the paperwork that ever existed and my previous persona does not exist anymore and this includes the internet as well.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend that is coming your way

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter

[LoriDee]

I am like you in that I disapprove of anything being stored "in the Cloud" or any Microsoft documents. The same goes for Google Docs. Although my presence on the internet (my profile here, social media, and even my personal website) clearly states that I am transgender, I do not allow Google or other search engines permission to index those profiles.

Less than a year after my legal name change, I applied for this apartment. They do background checks (outstanding warrants, sex offender registry, and credit reports). Since my name change was fairly "new" in these systems, I also presented a certified copy of the name change order to clarify any discrepancies in case some system had my old name tied to my social security number.

Now it has been almost two years since the name change, I do not allow any references to the old name and just state "That is not me".  I am still fighting with the VA to remove any references to my dead name in my records, but that battle is ongoing. I suspect that the reason someone else's data is showing in my records is due to them coincidently sharing that name. For some unknown reason, they are unwilling or unable to just go in and delete the old references. But once that happens, like you, it will be a clean slate going forward.

What goes on in our private lives is no one's business, especially the government.

[ChrissyRyan]

LoriDee,

One wonders what name is stored in the military records center in Saint Louis for transgender military personnel.  Probably simply depends on what names were used when orders, medals, discharge, etc. were issued.

[LoriDee]

As I understand it, if a change has been requested the records would be amended. The VA is working with the Personnel Records Center to digitize all of the records. Once they become electronic, the records will be easy to change.

[Sarah B]

Hi Everyone

Today is the 25 of April (25/04/2024) and here in Australia, is a national public holiday, where everything is basically shut down, except the few places, usually gas stations that are open.  Is ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) day).

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served" [1]

I have watched many ANZAC parades that take place along George Street, when I lived in Sydney.  Over the years the parade has got bigger and more elaborate.

There are three things, that make the ANZAC notable are:

One the commemoration ceremonies that take place around the country, even the smallest town does not let this day go by.

Two the famous ANZAC biscuit:

The Anzac biscuit is a sweet biscuit, popular in Australia and New Zealand, made using rolled oats, flour, sugar, butter (or margarine), golden syrup, baking soda, boiling water, and (optionally) desiccated coconut.  Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I.

It is thought that these biscuits were sent by wives and women's groups to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation.[2]

Finally the third is a game called Two Up:

Two-up is a traditional Australian gambling game, involving a designated "spinner" throwing two coins, usually Australian pennies, into the air. Players bet on whether the coins will both fall with heads (obverse) up, both with tails (reverse) up, or with a head and one a tail (known as "Ewan"). The game is traditionally played in pubs and clubs throughout Australia on Anzac Day, in part to mark a shared experience with diggers (soldiers).[3]

So ANZAC is the one day where all Australians, stop and reflect, pay their respects to the men, women that have died and served in the armed forces.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their service.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter
[1] Wikipedia
[2] ANZAC biscuit
[3] Two Up

[imallie]

Sounds like a really special day, Sarah.

I read about it a bit.  The Ode of Remembrance is quite lovely:

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them."

[Sarah B]

Hi Allie

Yes, you are right its a special day, although that was not always the case.  The Vietnam veterans were reviled, when they came back and that was the case for a long time.

When the service is commemorated around the country the basic itinerary will contain the following at least.

• Ode of Remembrance
• The Last Post
• Silence 1 minute

Two other things that I did not mention when talking about ANZAC, was that the game Twp Up is the only game that can be played around the country without a gambling license and only on ANZAC day.

The other thing is, this is what an ANZAC biscuit looks like:



One final comment on ANZAC day.  I was designated driver, for some family members and I was at a local pub (a place I rarely go to, I don't drink) and I watched the ANZAC ceremony on TV.  When the last Post was playing, everyone in the pub went deadly silent. That surprised even me.

Take care and I will catch you very soon.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter

[Northern Star Girl]

@Sarah B
Dear Sarah B:
Reminding you that you have not updated your Blog thread for
just short of 2 WEEKS !!!!

Along with the rest of your readers and avid followers, I am
starving for an update posting from you on your thread....

I trust that all is OK in your "world" 
Many HUGS,
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

[Sarah B]

Hi Everyone

Somebody without mentioning any names has reminded me that I have been very remiss in not posting about what is happening in my life.  Given me a prod, a kick up the backside or some other similar euphemism.  So to speak.

It's very easy to let things slide and even forget to say hello to others in their blogs.  Life just goes on and that has not changed one iota in my life.  I have mentioned in my posts and blogs some of my thoughts, feelings and certain day to day activities surrounding my life.

Where does this all lead to at this moment in time?  No where, somewhere, I don't know.  There are some posts I could post and others I don't, in other words it's best to let sleeping dogs lie, because in the long run it will not make any difference if you do or you don't.

In a couple of my posts I have mentioned the unconditional love my mum had for me, in fact it was just not me, but also included my three brothers as well.  I also mentioned in those posts how my mum first caught up with me after I changed my life around, she was not the first, in fact, it was one of her sisters or my aunt as far as I can remember it was not awkward at all, it was just another, lets get together for a coffee.

I wrote the following in another post and I will include it here, as one of my personal stories that I will share with you.  The original thread and post was called:

How supportive were your parents when you transitioned?

. . . . .
Since I was far removed from my family 4,000km away, it was not until a couple of years after I had surgery, that I caught up with my mum and family, my father died when I was 15 years old.  So there was no support there.  I had a very supportive mum, and my mum would write to me and the card, birthday card, Christmas card or letter would often start of with "My dearest daughter" or "My darling daughter", why? My mum loved her children and a long time ago she said to me, if I had a daughter I would name her Sarah.  No, my real name is not Sarah, although I seriously did consider taking it as my first name and yes I do like the name Sarah very much.

If my memory serves me well, I first caught up with my mum in 1993, which was two years after I had my surgery or nearly five years since I last saw her.  I was doing contract work for a government department in Bundaberg, drawing bridges and designing roads.  I was staying at a local hotel and my mum was on her way to see her sister in Brisbane.

After meeting her at the bus terminal (coach), she put her arms around me and said, "I missed you so much", later in the same hotel room my mum said, "I thought you was going to look like a drag queen, but obviously not".  I cannot remember the exact words in regard to this.  That was so funny to hear that.  However, I believe, I put my mums perception of what her one and only daughter looked like to rest and in doing so made her proud of me.

One of the reasons why I left Susan's was, I returned to help my mum, who had several medical problems, long story short it was decided that I would be with her and she would not die alone.  One of the few things she said before she passed away and I can vividly see and hear her as she walked away from the dining table was, "you do not know, how much I love you", it was a nice thing to say at the time.  My mum passed away nearly a year and half ago two years ago, but writing down what she said to me brings uncontrollable tears to me, every time I read this passage. . . . .

So why am I sharing this?  Well I found one of those cards, there are others but not as poignant, that she sent me and I have been thinking about whether I would post what was written in that card.

The following is the front of the card that she sent me and what she refers to when she wrote on the inside of the card.
.

.
The follow are the words she wrote to me on the inside of that card.

My Dearest Daughter Sarah

I saw this card and straight away thought of you.  I miss you so much and I always look forward to seeing you.  I do hope you get a chance to move closer and somehow, I can come and visit and that is not so isolated.

All I ever wanted for my children to be happy, healthy and to always know where they are.  So take care my daughter Sarah of yourself.

Love you heaps
Mum & Tia

Tia was my mum's cat and which I now care for.  So yeah, my life was blessed, in more ways than I can ever count.  I miss you my Dearest Mum.

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter
PS  I promise you I will work on "Sarah's Race to SRS Part II" over the next couple of days.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Sarah B
Dear Sarah B:
I so very much enjoyed reading about your sweet and caring thoughts
that you expressed for your mum.

Many members here that are transitioning or have transitioned do not,
or may have never had that kind of unconditional support from a parent
and other close family members.

Count yourself very fortunate.

Thank you for sharing and for posting your update on your blog thread.
Many HUGS,
Danielle

[ChrissyRyan]

Sarah,

I think the card and its expressed thoughts are very nice.

Chrissy

[ChrissyRyan]

Sarah,

Cute cat also!

Chrissy