Thought it would be prudent to say a little bit about myself. I came grow up in Pennsylvania for the first thirty years then moved to Oregon for employment and have been working for the same company since.
Like many my story is, knew there was something different about me compared to others, went through the hiding in the closet, suppressed the inner female, got married, had children then divorced.
In 2013 made the decision to have gender reassignment surgery, breast augmentation and trachea shave. Started electrolysis around 1999 so all that was left was to do the therapy, real life test and make an appointment for surgeries.
2014 was my real life test and went through with surgery January 2015 via Marci Bowers.
Starting mid 2014 I started a blog on WordPress to document my journey so others may benefit. During the past year have my therapist has asked me to assist two male-to-female clients while going through their transition and find it very rewarding to provide quality information to them.
During my real life test I decided to also change both first and last name, it just felt right to leave the old name behind. One month prior to surgery my therapist provided a letter which allowed me to change my gender marker on my driver's license which was great going into what was to follow.
I am grateful that everyone in my life has been very accepting of my transition and more so from my employer.
I work as a senior software developer, was awarded MVP status from Microsoft where out of millions there are only 3,000 selected. Outside of work my current passion is my 2016 Mazda Miata, every Saturday I take it for a spin with a local Miata club. Enjoy playing guitar and have a home studio for recording music.
Before surgery I taught 15 years part-time as a self-defense instructor which entailed teaching a class every Thursday night, three weekends a month.
So with that I am here to learn and give back in any way I can.
Hi Karen and welcome to Susan's
Lovely to have you here! I'm in Australia but my partner was from PA.
Feels free to have a good look around and meet new friends
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Hi Karen :icon_wave:
Welcome to Susan's :) Glad to have you here, join on in the fun
Hugs
V M
Thanks for the welcome :)
Hey Karen welcome to Susan's from another Oregonian. We are out on there coast most of the time but I get in to Portland frequently for multiple reasons and often hit the Q Center or BRO events.
Thanks for coming around and sharing what's up with you.
Hi Karen,
Late realizer and transitioner here. I am still married with three teen daughters but only in the first year of a slow journey. Not sure how far it will take me or if all will stay the same in my relationship... Not the point. The point is Wecome!
Hope you find what you are looking for here.
With warmth,
Joanna